The US is continues to fall behind the rest of the world when it comes to education. I believe that we are so entrenched in our current system that we can't get out. Schools have become essential baby-sitting facilities for our modern two income families so we've become reliant on them. And high education has become a privilege.

School teaches you to memorize and conform. Self learning teaches you to think and be goal oriented.

The solution is incredibly easy but fought by everyone that resist change. The answer is to make classes free online and reward those who complete courses with certificates and degrees through secure testing. Instead, we have the old Red Schoolhouse with summer vacations so the kids can tend to the farm. Stop herding children like cattle and telling them what to do. Reward those that do and the rest will follow.

Learning should be a torture that we endure... it is a life time activity that moves our society forward instead of holding it back.

Most of all, it should be free to everyone -- not a privilege.