American math standards have been low compared to those in Europe and East Asia for a long time, about as long as there has been divergence in student performan

American math standards have been low compared to those in Europe and East Asia for a long time, about as long as there has been divergence in student performance in the subject. Standards should be high, and many students (perhaps 80%) should fail to meet them. But what does this matter if only 1/3 of Americans get undergraduate degrees anyway? I can tell you what isn’t working: expecting very little of American kids in the public school system. It’s harmful to the education of our youth and gives further advantage to the already privileged who can afford private schooling and tutoring.