Actually, we CAN compete as long as ENOUGH have a strong foundation in math and science. For a while now, we have been getting enough by letting intellegent students from other countries stay and contribute. Remember: Einstein was an immigrant. Tesla, von Braun, Fermi.

The less educated can do the low paying grunt work.

The real problem is the less people know, the more limited their options are in life. Schools can’t teach everything but they can teach how to learn.

David thinking nuclear physics, noneuclidian geometry, linear algebra, tensor analysis and home economics should be considered part of it too

No bill setting requirements for graduation shall be approved without all members of the legislature making at least an 80% on said requirements..

Better yet:

Noone elected to the legislature will be trusted on committees until they make at least an 80% pass rate on the FCAT.

ALL SCORES TO BE PUBLISHED TO THE VOTERS.

Yeah, like anybody would vote for such a bill–not that they couldn’t pass, but I remember how they say Ted Kennedy (a great American) paid others to take his tests for him. He was too important to bother with such.

David thinking literacy would be nice too

Our biggest problem is we pass them on because mommy don’t want johnny
to be held back, and to many kids don’t get the basic.
If school becomes that hard for you in the beginning years, I’ll bet your not
going to go anywhere or FINISH!

MOM’S your not doing your babies any favor.

I disagree with your premise. I, too, use the maths and some sciences and, on occasion, physics; however, that has not always been the case. Everyone won’t be an engineer just like everyone won’t be a laborer.

None of it works if students cannot read, write, know history or understand civics; of course, a basic understanding of the maths and sciences is important as well. I just don’t think everyone can be treated the same way.

Raising the bar to some is a challenge; to others it is an obstacle.

Education is the key to success; however, each of us measures success differently.

Under this idea being presented, what will happen to the students who don’t make the new standard? Catering to the advanced student is just as important as working with the average student as helping those with learning disabilities.

Maybe I’m being too idealistic?

American industry is already facing a shortage of qualified technicians or even trainable applicants. We can’t compete in a world economy without a strong foundation in math and science.

Raise the bar and prepare them for success or dumb it down and watch them fail.