NY Times: U.S. Reading and Math Scores Show Slight Gains

1. http://nyti.ms/1b9L34b

2.Category of problem/issue: Education

3. Level of problem/issue: National

4. A policy that that individuals/families face.

5. Why is it important to individuals/families and how does it affect them?

 This affects individuals and families in a great way because the scores are up from preceding years. If this continues, we may increase our rank internationally with education.

6. What are your views?
I think this is great! We need to be keeping up with our competitors and the U.S. education levels are embarrassing compared to China or even parts of Europe. We need to continue to strive in education and stop placing kids' acceptance on popularity, sports, and consumerism. That's why the other countries are ahead. We need to continue to raise the learning expectations of students. I wasn't prepared at all for college when I entered. All the basic stuff I learned, was relearned in the basic college level classes I started out in. What's sad is that I went to one of the top school districts in Texas. Students just aren't be challenged like they are in other countries. They should learn foreign languages early. Whatever is happening to raise the scores needs to continue to happen.