How can America make a comeback? Well,that's a toughy. I see this as more of an economic problem than an academic one.

How can America bounce back when it makes more economic sense for corporate america to outsource the majority of engineers, scientists and programmers from other countries for cents on the dollar? Because of this, I wouldn't be surprised if there has been a drop in enrollment for those fields of study. For the most part, students do not want to spend hard earned money (their's or their parent's) studying a specialized field where there is little to no demand for employment.

The answer is simple, but implementing a solution is next to impossible: Eliminate the corporate practice of outsourcing, restore the demand for American scientists/engineers/programmers, see the enrollment for the sciences/engineering increase.

The obstacles: Politicians bending over for financial contributions from corporate lobbyists.

your correct, but I think its both economic and academic..

American academics are so lenient compared to other countries.

I was learning trig when I was 10 in elementary school. (in Taiwan for summer)

Most of the kids oversees go to school 8 hours daily, then attend another secondary school right after. Its very competitive.
The competitiveness in public schools here is almost non-existent.

Shimpi is gay

Flitch...that was unnecessary...and just plain silly.

I agree with foolz and Shimpi...it's a big problem for American kids. The schools are far more focused on childrens' good feelings than they are on real progress in learning. Especially in math and science.

This is a long lived problem. I remember seeing my high school science textbooks on US college campuses when we went on field trips to the States, indicating a lag going back almost 20 years.

We'll see what happens, but the current governement is actually CUTTING money to science and education, not increasing it. Silly bastids!

BIO

Oh, sorry Bio I was just trying to be like Shimpi and at every possible chance somehow relate the post to being gay. I'll try to stop.

Flitch, yeah...good luck with that.

This topic may also be relevant to that "raising sissies" thread that was started a few weeks ago. I feel there is a correlation between the lack of discipline at home and at school, but it doesn't begin and end there.

My generation was raised believing if we work and study hard, we'll make a good living. This simply isn't true anymore. Where is the incentive for the younger generation to work and study hard in school, if the hiring practices of corporations suggests cheap compensation for high productivity is more important while demonstrated merit is ignored?

That eliminates the motivational need for anyone to try hard at anything. Futhermore, the child-raising practices of today's parents (if there is a parent at home to begin with), seem to encourage and reinforce that behavior.