The Department of Education spends billions of dollars annually, and touts phase three of its "race to the top," but the sad fact is that based on testing results, American education is on a race to the bottom. We spend more than any other nation on earth yet rank in the bottom quartile (26th out of 34) of OECD (developed) nations in the latest international comparison, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). We are paying filet mignon prices and getting Sonic Burger results, in other words. I guess the upside is that our unionized teachers have such great job security that they can hardly be fired once they get "tenure." Oh, and the benefits and retirement pay are outstanding. Naturally, Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, is calling for even more money. "We must invest in early education, raise academic standards, make college affordable, and do more to recruit and retain top-notch educators," Duncan said. The top-ranking countries on the exam - taken by...(Read Full Post)