Public education in the USA is a joke and a waste of not merely kids' time but tax dollars. It is provenly effective as only a socialization tool. Kids who learn the most in highschool, for example, did so more of their own pursuit than curriculum. And that, if you ask me, is sad; those kids would've been far better off just learning whatever grabbed their interests and having a publicly-funded social hour every weekday. Now, if you want to improve public education, three things will be required as a fundamental basis. First, the purpose of public education should be the same as is often identified with college exclusively; preparing a student for a career or pursuit of his or her choice. That should be the fundamental goal. Secondly, the means of public education should be aptitude-based. A child that abhors math but loves art should be, in this model, provided with all the art cla!!#s s/he can handle. They'll pursue other things if they want other things. Thirdly, and this isn't in conflict with point the second, but rather it is in support of it, children in preliminary education should be exposed to a wide variety of subjects for familiarity's sake. Ergo, primary education should revolve around building a foundation of broad familiarity, with advanced (middle and highschool) education revolving around letting the student pursue that which they're best suited and most drawn to. When that model is followed, we will have a public education system worth every penny expended on it's application. Our current model, however, is just a running gag with our youths as the punchline. Sad, no?

High school is suppose to be the last level of basic education for the adult hood. College is just extra education. People see college as a way to getting better jobs and more income in life. The more you learn, the more your life will grow, not just your brain.

I have a daughter in 4th grade and the teachers treat kids like they are stupid and they 'dumb down' everything. There are papers and pencils and books all over the floor,etc. a total mess. If we'd done that when I was in school, the teacher would have sent you off to see the principal! They completely cut back on P.E., which is obvious when you see all of the overweight kids around. Everything they use for homework is a printout from the internet. I have to sign a daily form showing that I know my daughter has done her homework (even though they only get ONE WORKSHEET a week for homework!) She's in the accelerated program, but instead of doing higher levels of school work, they go to another school once a week and do projects like studying another culture. (Last year was New Zealand) At the end of the year, they put on a 'show' doing native dances and showing how the people live, what they eat,etc. I feel like this could be learned in a history class. I don't see how this can really help prepare her for college courses. I would like to see more emphasis on individual learning levels and less on kindergarten-like projects that the kids think are stupid and they don't like doing them. They are bored with the low levels they are being 'taught'. Many of the kids are way beyond what they're teaching but they have to sit and endure what they already know. The school won't do anything about moving them to another grade or having classes for smarter kids. I know many kids aren't taught anything before starting school, so they have a hard time grasping what IS taught, but that is the fault of the parents. Kids should be able to write their name and know the alphabet clearly and be able to count to 10 at least.

of school not even being able to point out North America on a map. This is education? Go back to basics, and bring back the paddle.