Dumber than Dirt

In January 2006, ABC news editor and 20/20 co-anchor John Stossel produced "Stupid in America," which could easily be retitled "Dumber than Dirt." Well, if not dirt, certainly American school kids appear dumber than those in Belgium (and in truth a whole host of other countries) in this video.

Still, the problem isn't, largely, with the kids, and it's not caused by a shortage of money and--note to the Federal Reserve-- won't be cured by printing more do-re-mi. The problem is American public schools themselves. Stossel finds many that stink. Most others smell but a little less noxiously.

I know, I know...your kids' schools are pretty good. Most Americans believe this. But your kids' schools are with rare exception at best mediocre, and some are truly horrible. If you don't believe this, your assignment is to watch the 20/20 video: http://tinyurl.com/cu7oyc . This will take you approximately 41 minutes during which time your mouth will fly open in horror.

Do this so we can have a discussion of public school K-12 education in America. Do this because you really owe it to your kids and grandkids and all American kids to rescue their education from the ed school hacks, the status quo, the ineptitude that pervades school districts today.

And when you are done, watch this one minute video,"Grandmas [bless them] for Charter Schools": (http://tinyurl.com/dmcxta).

Now take a look at some examples of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) charter schools: "Making Schools Work" Part 1 (http://tinyurl.com/djtlbp) and Part 2 (http://tinyurl.com/cjsodm) , both 7 minutes, and "KIPP Bay Area Schools" (http://tinyurl.com/cfdp9c), 5 minutes.

Now you are ready to begin a discussion of K-12 education in America...more later.