We do not cull our students in the US. Everyone, including Morton, is not only allowed, but required to spend some amount of time in secondary school. THis is clearly not the case in other countries. The Kid with Down Syndrome can attend public schools. What do they do with these kids in other countries. Check out Russia. You would be appalled.

I will put our very best students from my High School up against the very best from any other country... Math, Science, you name it. There are some top notch kids in public schools. This I promise. Its just the gap between the extremely motivated bright kids, and the unmotivated grows every year. And dont beat the public schools up on this.

I would describe our system of education as a mirror of our society. It works very well for those of means and desire. Just like our society. Now I will say that we put very little emphasis on good teaching. But I feel that good teachers eventually find their way to schools with a clientele willing to learn. Although I think it should be easier to let teachers who dont give a damn go.