Ovid has an insightful post in his LiveJournal that touches on the topic of education in the United States. Here is a quote that he quotes:
[Gerry Fedchun, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association,] said Nissan and Honda have encountered difficulties getting new plants up to full production in recent years in Mississippi and Alabama due to an untrained – and often illiterate – workforce. In Alabama, trainers had to use “pictorials” to teach some illiterate workers how to use high-tech plant equipment.
Make sure to read the comments as well. There are some interesting bits, like this one for example:
There is a high percentage of folks who do not let their kids go to school because they actually believe schools poison their children’s minds…and no, I am not kidding.
Fascinating, isn’t it?