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How US Schools' Culture Stifles Math Achievement

Posted by timothy on from the expensive-gubmint-babysitting-castles dept.

Zarf writes "I'd like to file a bug report on the US educational system. The New York Times reports on a recent study that shows the US fails to encourage academic talent as a culture.'"There is something about the culture in American society today which doesn't really seem to encourage men or women in mathematics," said Michael Sipser, the head of M.I.T.'s math department. "Sports achievement gets lots of coverage in the media. Academic achievement gets almost none."' While we've suspected that the US might be falling behind academically, this study shows that it is actually due to cultural factors that are devaluing the success of our students. I suspect there's a flaw in the US cultural system that prevents achievement on the academic front from being perceived as valuable. Could anyone suggest a patch for this bug or is this cause for a rewrite?"

5 of 888 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Answer: Money by Lobster+Quadrille · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Potato farming?

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    "The cup is in turn designed for holding hot or cold liquids, and has an open rim and closed base." --US Patent #5425497
  2. Ron Paul by Ig0r · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Ron Paul?

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    Soma: because a gramme is better than a damn.
  3. Don't forget 71! by domatic · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    That's a 69 with 2 fingers in yer ass.

  4. Re:Answer: Money by CRCulver · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Godwin's Law = YOU FAIL.

  5. Re:Answer: Money by Wandering+Wombat · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I love you.

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    I like to place meaningful quotes in my sig, so people will know that I know what meaningful quotes are.