We are losing our unchallenged standing and superiority in commerce, industry, science, and technology to a rising tide of mediocrity. Teachers are no longer concerned with whether or not their students have a firm grasp of the core curriculum – they are more concerned about whether or not they offend someone with their curriculum.
I'm sure this article will play well with many FReepers, most of whom don't have a clue about what really goes on in most public school classrooms, but I'm not at all worried about offending anyone with my curriculum. Political correctness isn't what's killing the school system.
The problem with the school system is very much related to our problems with society.
In the middle part of the 20th century, we had a tremendous upheaval in society: women's liberation, Dr. Spock's new methods of child-rearing, welfare programs, the peace movement and other forms of rebellion against authority, and the civil rights act and school desegregation. All of these (and probably a few other factors I haven't remembered) have resulted in huge changes in society and in the public educational system.
I could elaborate on each issue, and its effect on the educatonal system, but I'd have a longer essay than your original.
The only viable solutions that can be seen are either complete privatization of the public school system, or, barring that, school vouchers.
Again, a line that some FReepers agree with totally, except that it leaves out homeschooling. The problem is, it won't be a realistic solution for some years, if ever.
Privatization has been tried in some areas, and hasn't always resulted in improvement. Even if vouchers were available, not all areas have private schools, and in some areas, the private schools are not as competitive academically as the public schools, but exist for religious or other reasons instead. Finally, not everyone is willing or able to homeschool.
Public schools will be a necessary option for the foreseeable future. The problem remains, how to improve them?