MIAMI – Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.
The report by The Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.
"Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career — and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the AP. "I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system."
The effect of the low eligibility rate might not be noticeable now — the Department of Defense says it is meeting its recruitment goals — but that could change as the economy improves, said retired Navy Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett.
But hey, we can let flaming drag queens and t-girls in now, so it'll be ok.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad congresscritters don't have to pass this test to run for office. It sure would weed out a bunch of dumbasses...
ReplyDeleteAh, it'll be okay. Homeschooling is only gaining popularity and, in my experience, the majority of the graduates are capable of doing well in the military, college, or the civilian workforce. (I've done all three - no big deal, really.)
ReplyDelete"I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system." Bullshit! It's not the system. It's the parents and the dumbassed kids that insist on misspelling words and couldn't do long division on paper if was gonna save their ass! I say put 'em on the front line and weed 'em out! They're just fodder for the fire anyway....but then again, that's what our 'government' thinks about all of us. Fuck you Obama.
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