Nor in Canada, we're basically the same as America in this regard, yet Canada ties Taiwan on PISA scores.
America's biggest problem imo is that the religious right realizes that the more educated the population, the less political influence they have. So they work hard at keeping the population stupid, particularly by deemphasizing critical thinking skills.
Look at that chart, how many of the top countries have as few atheists, and as many people attending church as the USA?
Or this:
Evolution and Creationism in America's Classrooms: A National Portrait
Of the 25% of teachers who devoted time to creationism or intelligent design, nearly half agreed or strongly agreed that they teach creationism as a “valid scientific alternative to Darwinian explanations for the origin of species.” Nearly the same number agreed or strongly agreed that when they teach creationism or intelligent design they emphasize that “many reputable scientists view these as valid alternatives to Darwinian Theory”
America teaches their children that Harry Potter **** is real science...in science class. That essentially Wingardium Leviosa is as valid a theory to explain flight as Aerodynamics.
And people wonder why American Science scores are low?
