How can we hope to remain economically competitive in a world in which... 90% of Dutch high-school students take advanced math courses and 100% of teachers in Germany have double majors, while the best we can say about our pocket of excellence is that 75% of American students have learned to critique tactfully?

Summary

This quote highlights the concern of economic competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world. By mentioning statistics about high school education in the Netherlands and Germany, it emphasizes the prevalence of advanced math courses and teachers with double majors, respectively. In contrast, the quote implies that the American education system focuses more on fostering critical thinking skills rather than specializing in specific subjects. The quote questions whether this approach is sufficient to maintain economic competitiveness, suggesting the need to perhaps prioritize a broader range of skills and subjects in American education.

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