School systems in America.

[Laharl]

No, seriously. The United States has some of the best colleges in the world. The average university in the United States actually teaches pretty well. Perhaps not in lower level courses (If I ever have another math teacher that doesn't speak English, I will kill myself), but really, going through college will get you a pretty good education.

People love to quote statistics, like they mean something. Okay, so maybe on a statistical level, we're not at the top. Big deal. I seem to be able to handle following any conversation I've ever had with someone from other countries that have done rather WELL in said other countries that tend to do very well in "internation competitions" when it comes to the smartz.

There are still more inventions coming out of the United States that catch on world-wide than any other country. Just about every major appliance can trace back to the US somehow (TV, computers, radios, etc. etc.)

I think this whole "problem" with education is played up. The real problem with education is that it's not needed to make a decent living anymore. In fact, most jobs that yield good entry level money and are stable, easy-to-find work don't require much of an education at all. Doctors and lawyers make good money, to be sure, but only if they are good, and it's a highly competitive environment.