Declining by Degrees

I saw a post on the Young Mathematicians Network site about Declining by Degrees, a PBS show about how academia is declining.

On their site, they ask: "How good is higher education in America?"

The clips they have on the site are interesting, they make you want to see the documentary. I wish it was playing again, but can't seem to find when that might be. I don't have a TV either, so I'd have to go see it at my fiance's parents' house, which is often very awkward.

But if anyone else sees/buys it, let me know how it is.

Do you think higher education in America is going down the pipes? I mean, it's pretty obvious that we are behind other countries in our understanding of mathematics and sciences, I don't know much about other disciplines. We have really high illiteracy and innumeracy rates.

What other country has people that are proud because they don't know mathematics?

I get students all the time that are looking for the easy way out of math, they want short cuts and rules to remember, not to actually think and understand. Forget about concentrating on their homework, they have a keg party to go to!

Is it just us, America, or is it larger than that? What's wrong with education today?

- V.