[Gammit]

America's schools are behind everyone else's? I think, that when tested student for student, we're at the same level, if not better than most of the world.
1.) One problem is, people wre saying that our test scores (SATs and the like) were plummeting... uh, yeah, that's because 20 years ago, only the top 30% of each class (or less) were taking tests like the SATs. Now that close to 70% are taking them, yeah, the average is going down. But, if you look at the top 30% now compared to then (or any group), the average has gone WAY up. So not only have our students' scores increased, we're also getting more students to test.
2.) We also teach a myriad of other things to our students, like citizenship, morality, anger-management, athletics, sex education, nutrition, etc. (the list is actually more than 130 items long) that many countries skip. We could give up on these things to concentrate on academics, but we won't until the public tells us that's what they want.
3.) Our country accepts all students (from those with special needs, to the average joe),includes all in aformentioned testing, and tries to not leave anybody behind. Some countries pick and choose who they include. We don't have the "luxury" of believing in a select few.

Simply put, if you compare apples to apples, we rock. Don't buy the sensationalism of the headlines and politicians (they're just trying to make money and obtain votes). Rather, pay attention to the objective research that is going on by America's educators today, and then make up your own mind. I know I do... it's the only way I'll keep improving as a teacher.