Reply #56: Oops...

[chervilant]

I neglected to respond to your denigration of "those international comparisons." Let me give you a 'real life' example, with the codicil that such an example is not generalizable. Nevertheless:

During my last year of teaching 7th grade and Pre-AP math, I wanted at least one of my classes (not necessarily just my AP kids, though) to participate in an international 'competition,' wherein students in similar grade levels across the globe were challenged to solve incredibly difficult math problems. As I recall, there were scholarship prizes awarded for the 'winners.' (I felt that all students who were given the chance to play math at that level would be winners.) Not a single one of my students would entertain the notion of entering this competition. Furthermore, when I reviewed the list of schools represented in this competition, the United States was significantly UNDER-represented.

(FYI, I did NOT say 'half of our adult population is functionally illiterate' and you might consider sharing your opinions without denigrating a fellow DUer's post.)