How Come Everybody Doesn't Get An 'A' In Economics In School?

Reports continue to show that we trail many other nations in education, especially in advanced math and science. Even though we spend more on education than most other countries. How can this be? How come we aren't getting better results from our educational experience if we're spending more than the next guy? Well a lot of people will tell you that "more money doesn't translate into better schools". You could put it to music, it's been stated so many times. Then again, some will point out that less money won't improve the schools either. So who's right? The answer is Yes. It's not that money alone will improve or worsen the problem so much as how you spend that money. I think teachers unions are part of the problem. It's good that they try so hard to protect teachers. It's easy for the public to blame teachers because Johnny can't get into college or that he isn't ready for college or that he can't get a job, before or after college. The reason Johnny is having those problems is his teachers. But not just his teachers or even mainly because of his teachers. The problem is with the School boards and the administrations and the tax payers. And ya know what? It's the parents and even Johnny. I don't think students are challenged and encouraged by all of those problem makers to do their best. Every day. And then ya know, it's easier to get into college if you're a good athlete then it is if you're a good math student. Not only that, but if you're a really good athlete, you get the whole thing free. Even if you major in basket weaving. Why not require colleges and universities to give five or ten free rides for math and science students for every athlete that gets a free ride. You might see a lot fewer big time athletes, but hey, let the pros start their own farm teams instead of using colleges as free farm systems. Colleges could start asking business and industry to start kicking in to cover the cost of educating their workforces. And business and industry could ask the government for a tax break for assisting colleges and universities. No more free rides for anybody but the students. It's not so much that we should be looking for ways to save money for tax payers as it is that we should be looking for better ways to educate our kids. In the long run, that's what'll save us money and reduce our taxes. And if you don't understand why, you weren't paying attention in economics class.