Quote:I'd say the government should, for the most part, stay out of what's being taught. Leave it up to the teachers.  There should be requirements though:  Everyone should take so many math classes, English classes, Science classes, and History Classes (including a class on Government).  But I do think public education should be tax-payer funded.  I believe that education is a right.  I know there are those who disagree.  

 

I'd say that our achievements have died down some in part because of the end of the Cold War.  Though I would say that the personal computer has far advanced what it was back in the 1980's.  Which is a good part of the reason that computers are so widespread.  And of course innovations made on Web Browsers by people like Marc Andreesen.   The internet itself has advanced as well.

 

But Achievements should not be our only goal.  I think equipping our future generation to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, even if we don't see any new achievements is incredibly important.  

 

Addressing the bold part.  I would say that education should be available to all people, but to label it as a "right" is a bit much.

 

What I mean by that, there should be a cap or a limit as to how much education is a "right".  If you make a blanket statement that education is a "right", then that means that higher education (college) should be free to anyone.  I disagree with that.  By the time a child finishes High School, they should be equipped enough to be able to earn a higher education should they desire it.

 

I'll use myself as an example.  When I finished High School, I had a few options.  I could go to college and take on some debt to pay for it.  I could get into an apprenticeship program and find my way into a blue collar type job (electrician as an example).  Or I could go into the military.

 

I chose the military as my means to get a higher education.  I spent a bit over 9 years in the military and got a good education not only where it comes to "book smarts", but also experience.  The experience was not only related to my current field, but I also learned a lot about life and working with/dealing with people from all walks of life.

 

My point is, education should only be a "right" (and I hate using that term) when it comes to basic education.  By the time one completes High School, they should be able to choose which path they desire to take.

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