The American education system. 2,102,400 minutes of High school

With this documentary in mind, it leaves an open floor for discussion on some interesting topics about our education system compared to the worlds.

What do you think? Do American schools focus too much on problem-solving at the expense of basic, foundational skills? Do schools in China and India focus too much on math and science at the expense of creativity? Is there a happy medium?

First of all, I want to put up the numbers of the countries with "The most noble prize winners"
Rank Country Number of Laureates
1 United States 270
2 United Kingdom 101
3 Germany 76
4 France 49
5 Sweden 30
6 Switzerland 22
7 Netherlands 15
8 USSR 14
8 Italy 14
10 Denmark 13
11 Japan 12
12 Austria 11
13 Canada 10
14 Spain 6
14 Australia 6
16 Ireland 5
16 Israel 5
16 Poland 5
16 South Africa 5
16 Argentina 5
21 India 4

Source: nobel.org

First, notice what countries are producing most of the art that you see around you, online, in museums. Even in music, who is producing it? Where is it coming from? Look no further than the top five countries in the list above. I guarantee a majority of the art comes from one of those countries.

I believe that the study of Art and Literature are equally as important as the study of say, Engineering or Mathematics, especially if you're seeking a country open to diversity. I feel safe to say the US would be considered a diverse country, a place open to new cultures. But don't get me wrong, though being open and accepting to other cultures, I'm only speaking in terms of comparison to other countries such as India or China who aren't as lenient and open. The US does have it's selfish, not changing for anyone attitude, which in my opinion is rather stupid. But anyway, here's a couple of statements in an article I read on Edweek.org:

"The man went on to explain that in many Asian countries, a person is "nothing" if he is not a doctor, businessman, engineer or academic, but in the United States each person is recognized as having great potential in some area. American schools take pride in developing the individual talents in each student."

"I have two sons. In Japan my older son was an "A" student but my younger son did not show academic talent. He was considered a failure and was treated with disrespect in school. Basically he was 'written off' by his teachers. At the American high school my older son went into the academic track and graduated with honors. My younger son found his niche in the art department. Now my older son is a physician and my younger son is a graphic designer in Beverly Hills. He makes a lot more money than
the doctor."

The man's younger son would have never had that opportunity where he originally was from!
I have no doubt that China and India are producing bright students of an equal or possibly more intelligent stature as compared to the US, respectively. But if you dive into the percentages of what they are studying there in India or China, it's subjects such as Mathematics, Engineering, Medical studies, many subjects the average American student gets the shivers from even talking about, it'll leave you to wonder, where is the art? I know its there, somewhere, but let's be real here, India and China are evidently not the places to go if you're looking into an art degree. On the flip side however, we do need our Engineers and Doctors, so I'm not bashing on anyone. They are very important people. And so are artists. A culture needs that diversity, that mix of individuals that will stimulate the output of what a country gives out to the world. I don't think that US schools need to drastically change their learning habits to "keep up" with other countries such as India or China. I do however, feel we are getting lazy due to what revolves around us, what distracts us such as video games or other "non-productive activities". We see this as a fortunate feat, we are proud of it. Our accessibility to technology and "distracting resources" far outweighs most countries. This is something us as consumers cannot help. Sadly (or is it?) I am a victim, I love gadgets and technology. Check out the entry before this one for heavens sake! I sometimes find myself easily distracted. It's waaay to easy to get distracted. I cannot stress that enough.

I like the idea of being able to choose from over a hundred different subjects to study and not get looked down upon on what you choose to pursue. Hell, you can probably major in underwater tennis and still be looked at as an equal. We will always have the "over achieving" individuals in America who will pursue a Math or Engineering degree. We don't need to get our knickers in a bunch about this. America is still producing smart intellectual people and more. So to answer the above question about there being a "happy medium?" No, I don't think there will be a "happy" medium, but I do think there is a state of content... or at least on my part as an average student. Let India and China do what their doing, their damn good at it, but they will be bored to death.