Education has little value...

Once again school is starting for millions of US school-children. The United States public school system has been the target for many criticisms, as well as many accolades. There are school districts where the majority of students graduate, and there are school districts where nearly half the eligible students drop out before receiving a high school diploma. No one argues that a foundation in the basics is essential. There is a boatload of evidence that shows students who learn about and participate in the arts do “better” in school and in their chosen career paths.

Today’s Inviting Conversations question focuses on the chart below. I would like to stay away from discussions on funding. I am unable to speak about other states, but Ohio’s reliance upon property taxes as a major funding source for its schools is an abysmal mess. I would like to stay away from comments on discipline. The countries ahead of us in many cases put the United State to shame in their non-violent approaches to student discipline, and it would be better to not further show how US education is behind the times.

The question is about the importance and value of education. The countries ahead of the United States “seemingly” place education at a higher value than does the United States.

Question: How can parents, educators, civic leaders and others improve US students’ desire to place a high value on education? Education is not valued in our country. How do we fix this?


How do we rate in education:

Area
Rank (out of 41)
Math 28
Reading 18
Science 22
Problem Solving 29

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a three-yearly survey of the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialized countries. The product of a collaboration between participating governments through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), it draws on leading international expertise to develop valid comparisons across countries and cultures.
Well over a quarter of a million students in 41 countries took part in a two-hour test in their schools, assessing their skills in mathematics, reading, science and problem solving. All 30 OECD member countries participated, as well as 11 partner countries.
Source:
http://www.putourkidsfirst.com/kidsfirst/education_ratings_US.asp