<p>Yep, hence reference to “illitarate” Americans in some foreign newspapers and how very important decisions are made incorrectly based on on this fact. This is the reputation outside. From inside, all immigrants are basically shocked when they discover the level of k -12 in the USA and many are considering sending kids back to their country for education. However, they usually just end up orginizing their own schools here to compensate, they know that k -12 is largely waste of time, lots of paper, filling in the blanks, very low level of education, things that are learned in middle school in other countries are pushed into HS, too little, too late. And a flip side, many kids are very bored, hate their homework, there is no excitement about it and most are not prepared for college at all. In addition, 10 years in school is plenty sufficient if you have the right program, 13 is way too long and pushing any academics to a 5 y o when all these could be absorbed by a 7 y o literally in few days, is absolutely incorrect, the result of general misconception. Another thing, stupid entrance test to a …kindergarden. Why? - Because we have $$$ to waste? My own D. has tested very low almost below the line and on top we decided to send her to school earlier before she turn 5. The result - #1 in her HS class, Summa Cum Laude (Phi Beta Kappa), the girl never had a single “B” in her life.<br>
All the testing, the entire k -12 program needs to be demolished and started from scratch. On top of all these inefficiencies and waste, it is the mot expansive one per student. If this is not overhouled, who is to replace us in IT, Engineering, Medicine - this one is already getting filled by disproportionate number of ORM, primarily Chinese with parents who can make a significant impact despite of their financial challenges.
Open eyes, keeping head in a sand is not a good solution.</p>