In our continuing series of Small Group Discussion topics, this month Learning is for Everyone invites you to consider the idea of the American Learning System and how it relates to our public education system.
In a recent Washington Post commentary titled, “How We Dummies Succeed,” (
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090501131.html) columnist Robert J. Samuelson proffered an interesting viewpoint in an attempt to answer the question,” Why do Americans do so badly on international educational comparisons and yet support an advanced economy?”
Here’s a statistical look at the paradox:
• In a 2003 study of 15-year-olds in 39 countries: In math, 23 countries did better that the US; in science, 18.
• In a 2003 study of adults 16 to 65 in six advanced nations: Americans ranked fifth in both literacy and math.
Yet,
• The US has the largest economy in the world, followed by China and Japan (CIA World Fact Book)
• The US is the third richest nation in the world, behind Luxembourg and Norway (CIA World Fact Book)
Samuelson suggests the answer may lie in the difference between the US “school system”, and the American “learning system.” The US school system, Samuelson notes, “consists of 125,000 elementary and high schools and 2,500 four-year colleges and universities,” more secondary education, in fact, than any nation in the world. The American learning system, on the other hand, is more complex, he says.
“It's mostly post-high school and, aside from traditional colleges and universities, includes the following: community colleges; for-profit institutes and colleges; adult extension courses; online and computer-based courses; formal and informal job training; self-help books.”
This system, Samuelson says, has two important benefits:
1. It provides second chances.
2. It's job-oriented.
“The American learning system,” writes Samuelson,” accommodates people's ambitions and energies … and helps compensate for some of the defects of the school system.”
What do you think?
Do Samuelson’s observations hold water?
Is there a way we can better accommodate the American Learning System in our school system?
Is it time to completely reevaluate our school system?
Does the school system provide a foundation people wouldn’t get otherwise?
What other thoughts occur to you upon reading this article and in consideration of the author’s ideas?
If you decide to share your group discussion experience with us (and we hope you do!), please reply within this thread with “Online Learning” in the subject line. Tell us where you live, about the group you discussed the topic with, and how you felt about the experience, along with your responses to the talking points above, or whatever thoughts occurred as a result of your discussion with others.
The point of these Education Conversation starters is to engage in some thoughtful and reasoned discussion about education, teaching and learning, something more far-reaching than knee jerk opinions or "gut" responses that may not fully give the due consideration that the many issues and topics facing us truly deserve.
We'll look forward to hearing back from you with your thoughts on this or any of our other SGD topics.
Thanks!
Theresa Willingham
Learning is for Everyone, Inc.
www.learningis4everyone.org 
