Brain Fuel

What is the state of our current education system? And what role should formal education have in shaping our country and our culture? Professor Botstein suggests that while most Americans are pessimistic about the future and about our state of education, the country possesses a more vibrant and strong culture than at any other point in its history. Drawing upon decades of first-hand experience and research, Botstein also takes note of the grave problems with the current state of education including a lack of a guiding model for families, our casualness about the impact of divorce on our youth, and parents who place their career goals above the needs of their children. In the absence of strong role models, Botstein argues our country has placed unrealistic expectations and responsibilities upon schools that they cannot and should not be expected to meet. A fix, professor Botstein suggests, starts with a radical re-tooling of the system.