Only let the Smart ones in... Good idea.

More reports are coming out decry how poorly American students are doing on tests in the areas of math and economic applications, and Rod Paige's great insight says "It's more evidence that high standards and accountability for results are a good idea for all schools at all grade levels." Okay, yes, knowing how high or low we score in reference to benchmarks is a good idea, but, what about the meaningful financial, structural, federal, state, local, and parental support that is needed to accomplish this goal? Just say you have to score 90% on an exam (high standard) and then reporting it in the newspaper when a school scores 80% (accountability) [as has been the case with these two buzzwords] is not enough. The further one is from the classroom the less one know's about the real problems and solutions.

One could start with student funding formulas, or aligning curriculum with the tests and "standards" kids are tested again, or, perhaps they could start with looking at how students learn other than a multiple choice test, but now I'm ranting.

And then, the article points out more assinine ideas about immigration:

"The study also comes amid heated debate over whether the US has enough skilled workers for the high-tech industry. At the urging of US business groups, Congress expanded the number of H1-B visas - designed to let US companies hire technology-proficient workers from other countries - by some 20,000 in 2005. The measure is included in a spending bill heading to President Bush this week."

Okay, so, just let the smart ones in? Most of the xenophobes who say close the doors to "foreigners" voted to put in this Congress who will restrict the laws to keep people out, EXCEPT when they benefit us? Hmm, poor people being killed for being different, you stay in your country. Rich, well to do and probably not fairly so poorly in your country, leave it and come to ours. This phenomenon is known as the "Brain drain" and drains the Have-not countries of their skilled workers, many of whom possess the skills to help their countries prosper and get "rich (& selfish)" like the U.S.

God, we just give and give and give, don't we.