<p>We do not have a monopoly in social development. There is no evidence that we are better than other countries in children’s social development. So we lose on the academics and are no better off in social development.</p>
<p>It is equally self-deluding to think that our kids are learning to be better thinkers than kids elsewhere. Our kids learn to ape their teachers and their latest fads. That is hardly critical thinking. You can’t do critical thinking when you don’t even have basic command of language, facts, and knowledge. Our kids BELIEVE they have good critical thinking abilities, but that comes from their carefully nurtured sense of high self-esteem.</p>