I am an educator and I am not going to rant.

I will merely suggest that education in the United States is not nearly as bad as everyone thinks. Many of the systems that are described as having the best education do not include all. School, above a middle school education, is something to be earned in many countries. One is required to pass certain boards and examinations both written and oral in order to even get into the High School level.

So perhaps I will rant a little.

Many are given the chance to move into a trade or apprentice program. The U.S. has moved away from this paradigm and has greatly suffered. We say every student needs to be in a college track and expect them to do exactly that when some would be just as happy as a car mechanic. Honestly, my mechanic makes about three times my salary and had no formal college education (was he educated? yes.). There is need for every type of job, but we cannot live by the addage that everyone is inherently equal in mental capacity, and/or that everyone is needed or intended to be the same. I am much happier knowing that there is a diverse population that would gladly learn different trades and that the money isn't the only decision maker on what type of job you perform.

Do I think that there are better education systems? Yes. Does that mean that the entire population of that country is smarter? No. Fortunately for this country we still have some great educators and the most extensive post primary education in the world. We still have innovation that other countries envy and do their best to steal. We put more stock in advancement and technology, and are decades ahead of many countries. And thankfully many great minds from abroad want to live here. I do see a regression, but it is not the norm.

Last bit I'd like to share. I would bet that less than 20% of all U.S. adults could even list half of the States and State Capitals (without looking them up).