[m5lange1]

I did read your post Liberty. And I have read those statistics before, along with counter statistics. That we are way down on the literacy level from WWII I doubt not.

That we are down on the literacy level from the 1800s I am seriously suspicious of. Their ability to do scientific sampleing in those days was pretty limited. For instance:
How many blacks from a slave backround were figured into that literacy study? How many women from a society that did not support women doing much more than keeping a home in shape were figured in to that study?
How many farmers (born and raised) in a VERY acgrilcultural society put any priority on learning their letters were figured into that study? If a statistic sounds suspicious it usually is.

All that aside, I am not arguing that the education of our children is suffering under the current system. Our differences, as I see them are these.

1. The motive of the education system. (forgive me if I misinterpret you) You appear to believe that someone or some group is trying to use our system to brainwash our students. I do not believe that there is any such dramatic conspiracy going on nor has there ever been. I believe we are dealing with a more complex world and culture so the job is becomming difficult and I think our society as a whole is abandoning the system rather than trying to fix it.

2. The solution. You seem to want to dismantle and reconstruct. For the sake of argument let us assume that you have all of the answers and could set up a system that would work. Well friend I am on your side. The difference is your way is not likely to happen. At least not now and not overnight. It is too radical for our society to swallow. I am not saying you are wrong, but perhaps a bit unrealistic.

We agree the problem exists. I say we can take steps to improve what we have, which is within our power to do, rather than blasting away at what we have, which is unlikely to destroy it but will contribute to its slow deterioration.

Now lets look at the alternatives. You said private schools are not the only alternative then mentioned charter schools. To me that is splitting hairs. Charter schools are not religiously affiliated but they are priveately run. They are private schools and the same need for teachers buildings and administrators would exist for them if all the public school students were suddenly in need of that service.

Home schooling. I have great respect for those who do it and do it well. Here is my concern. How many of us trust all the parents out there to home school their children? If we look at it realistically. Do you think some parents may just say "fine no school" and let their children have the run of the streets full time?

The argument of "I did it and my kids are doing great." is valid on a case by case basis. Grats. I am sure it was a lot of dedication and work on your part and I am happy you have produced citizens that will probably contribute to society. When we open it up and say "You can all just home school your kids because we do not have any public school for them." it is not going to be you who is schooling all of our young people. Its not that I do not trust you (present reader whoever you are) and I to home school our children, It's that couple standing over there that worry me.

So until we are prepared (economically, politicly, personel wise etc.) to put a whole new system into place lets at least stop kicking what we have so hard and try to improve it instead of adding to its deterioration. If we just start supporting education again it may actually get better (sort of like a sick uncle who we actually decide to medicate rather than thowing a bucket of water on him every morning.)