We're No. 1! We're No. 1! We're ... uh ... not?
Finland's school system is ranked among the world's best. It has elements that could help American schools, say observers.
Source(CNN) -- In the opening scene of the new Aaron Sorkin show, "The Newsroom," a news anchor goes on a tirade when asked why "America is the greatest country in the world."
"It's not the greatest country in the world," he fumes. "We're seventh in literacy, 27th in math, 22nd in science, 49th in life expectancy, 178th in infant mortality, third in median household income, No. 4 in labor force, and No. 4 in exports. ... So when you ask what makes us the greatest country in the world, I don't know what the f*** you're talking about."
It's another slab of "Network"-esque bravado from Sorkin -- the creator of "The West Wing" -- but the point is well taken, even if his statistics could be a bit off. By a number of objective measures, America is not No. 1.
Good luck in saying that aloud, however. Forget Social Security. The third rail of American politics is acknowledging we may not be the greatest country in the world.
"If you can think of a politician who can say consistently 'We're not No. 1; we're not No. 1,' then I'd be very surprised," says Melvyn Levitsky, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer and former ambassador to Brazil.
It's not like acknowledging flaws is the same as acknowledging failure. The business sector seldom rests on its laurels. Successful companies assume there's room for improvement, and they'll put themselves through ISO 9000, Six Sigma, benchmarking, best practices and any number of other assessment programs to get there. (Some sectors of government -- which is often unfavorably compared to business by critics -- do that, too, but it doesn't grab anyone's attention unless its Vice President Al Gore illustrating his '90s "Reinventing Government" initiative by smashing an ashtray on the David Letterman show.)
If businesses don't evolve, they end up like Atari, Pan Am and Woolworth's, onetime industry leaders that crashed against the rocks of strategy, innovation and competition. So the successful ones aren't shy about borrowing good ideas from others.
Then why is it so hard for the United States to admit its shortcomings and do the same?
Craig Wheeland, a political scientist at Villanova, believes it has something to do with America's innate wariness of government.
That looks like a very good program. I have to say, his Tirade seems to be right on the mark. So what will we do,
1) break up into our various agenda driven groups
2) blame the other groups for the mistake
3) blame the other groups from not working to achieve a "fix".
4) and the list goes on.
Like in the song, "Ball of Confusion"............ "Vote for me and I will set you free... rap on brother, rap on"
heh, I remember when CNN was No. 1...
I think this country is ready to concede that this country's current leadership is certainly far from No. 1. Which is why I'm sure many will be embracing change at the polls this November; lest the United States become what CNN has become: Piers Morgan and a heap of regrets.
Originally Posted by Hollis
I like you Hollis, I don't care what everyone else says about you!
Can you get rid of the videos in the text? If peeps want to watch them then they can go to the source. Thanks in advance.
Don't forget the buzzwords. Best practices, think out of the box, efficiencies and metrics.
I think the tendancy to look at America's problems as national problems contributes more to our troubles than it solves. Whether it's education, health care, or social and economic mobility; this is a country with hundreds or thousands of local problems that are ripe for as many local solutions.
We may be 27th in Math but I think even I can swing this equation: The population of New York City minus the population of Chicago equals the population of Finland.Finland's school system is ranked among the world's best. It has elements that could help American schools, say observers.
The best answer isn't to say that if Finland can do it, so can the United States; rather if Finland can do it then so can Sioux City, IA; or Biloxi, MS; or Rochester, NY, and so on.
Why should you be no.1? After all you are still doing better than most countries.
I bet you could do it better than us. Just use some of the money you throw to other countries on your school system.
Very reasonable viewpoint. Even with all our issues, there's no where else I'd rather live.
Oh how I hate this "We need Finnish schools asap!" crap. Don't you worry, Muricans, it's spread over our continent as well.
I still don't get what's so great about our schools...
That a High School Diploma doesn't just mean you can read the dialogue of a comic book. Your High School graduates actually know stuff; it may not seem like a big deal to you because that's the standard.
With all its vested interests, the public school system is extremely difficult to change. Charter schools and voucher programs have worked quite well, but are resisted fiercely and frequently killed after successful runs. There has been an all-out war going on over the very successful voucher program, which is extremely popular with parents. Those opposing the program's expansion are now being forced to back down.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1606981.html
Can you imagine the love the world will have for us when we are #1 at everything! Can't wait!
The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence.
I dont know how it is in other parts of the country, but here in new jersey the more affluent the town the better the schools are.
I kind of like how new york city's schools are run. Basically every child is administered a test, and depending on what percentile they fall into determines what school they go to. So basically if you test in the top 1 percent, your child can attend any school within the 5 boroughs. If your child places in the 5th percentile then the child gets to choose the top 6 i believe. and so on. I think kids are retested every so often to see if the kid gets dropped from a school or promoted to one.
Afterall you cant give every kid the best education, its just unreasonable at this time. You just hope that you build a solid foundation of a few that can build to greater things for all.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
