Stupid in America

I loved John Stossel's new version of Stupid in America, which aired a week ago.  I can't find a link to the video nor anywhere to order the DVD, which is a bummer because there's some GREAT stuff [WE FOUND LINKS BELOW]– he interviews a range of reformers, but also two union leaders in DC and Newark, and let's just say you can't make this stuff up.  In a truly classic line, the union head in DC, when Stossel says student test scores are abysmal, says "we choose not to evaluate ourselves that way."  When Stossel follows up by asking how he can tell if students are learning, if test scores say they aren't, he replies, "I can tell by looking them in the eyes."

 

The best I can do is include a few related articles from Stossel's web site (below) and a link to the original, brilliant version of Stupid in America: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx4pN-aiofw

School spending has gone through the roof and test scores are flat.

While most every other service in life has gotten faster, better, and cheaper, one of the most important things we buy -- education -- has remained completely stagnant, unchanged since we started measuring it in 1970.

Why no improvement?

Because K-12 education is a government monopoly and monopolies don't improve.

A friend sent me these links to the recent Stupid in America show by John Stossel (discussed in my last email) – a must watch!  (Watch them immediately because they could be removed from YouTube at any time)

 

1.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyswCDwe3uo&feature=player_embedded

2.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGNz0Y9vrBo&feature=related

3.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlg1LBHlNAc&feature=related

4.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Irx9o7DjO8&feature=related

5.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_--4EDg06A

6.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR3I6LUknxo&feature=related