Education: An Absolute Disgrace

Just in time for Christmas is a report that says 25% of high school grads can't answer enough basic questions correctly to get them in the Army. This at a time when almost every politician is clamoring to raise the pay of America's teachers.

That's like giving a tip to the guy who works on my car - when he returns it to me in worse shape than it was, and missing one wheel.

And what does it say not only for their future success as individuals, but for the success of our economy, when public schools can't turn out students with enough knowledge to even pass a military entrance exam? It's ain't rocket science.

Coincidentally, I found a Facebook profile of an acquaintance (name removed) who listed her education. Can you spot anything wrong?

It has been said to never criticize without offering a solution; here we go:

- Make high school more rigorous - for both students and teachers.
- Remove so-called tenure from public K-12 education.
- Introduce an apprentice program for teachers such that they work as teacher's aides for their first year alongside good teachers.

Report: Nearly 1 in 4 Students Fails Military Entrance Exam - FoxNews.com:

"Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.

The report by The Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.

'Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career — and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces,' U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the AP. 'I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system.'