My brother is finishing up the fourth grade. I've noticed that so much emphasis is put on results and standardized tests like the end of grade, or whatever, that students are doing little information processing. They're storing it, but not elaborating much, or thinking abstractly in unique, creative, practical, useful, expansive ways. The educational system is not teaching children to think, to really learn. Learning is not simply knowing information; it's a much deeper process that really involves the individual and society as well.

At least that's what I think.

Getting a certain number of points, or earning the best grade in the class doesn't reflect learning necessarily. Neither does receiving that bonus for your class having a certain mean score on the EOGs. I agree that something needs to be done about education in America, but I bet it'll be a while before we really see a difference. Once teachers are paid what they're worth, I think we'll see some actual improvement.