Nope, they ain't.

Stories like this one (via the Professor), on the dismal state of American education, make me sick.  I'm doing my best to combat its effects -- having students read real newspaper articles and explain them, encouraging them to look at the bigger picture, trying to cultivate practical, real-world skills... but it's difficult (especially when the parents, however well-intentioned, themselves lack the education to back it up, or when you have to spend half your time undoing the misdeeds of previous teachers).   Here's to work!