Does This Really Come as a Surprise to Anyone?

Who is Number 1 on test scores in math, reading, and science?  Of course, it is students from China.  Where do we rank?  See the following table.  Not too great as we prepare students to compete in a global economy.

Now, what is this abysmal student performance costing us as taxpayers?  Well, it depends on where you live.  An enlightened video clip from the Cato Institute provides some food for thought on the cost (explicit and implicit) at local level.  After viewing the clip, you may want to find out what you local school district's cost per student happens to be.  The national average per-student education spending (latest 2007) is approximately $10,000.  And, what is the common cry from educators for improving score performances on math, reading, and science?  More money, of course.  Isn't that the typical response and solution to all of our problems?  For the full report, click here.