There is plenty wrong with all of US culture, and that includes US education. Speaking as a foreigner who moved to the US to go to graduate school, I have been appalled over and over by what I have seen. And it should be obvious to anyone who is looking at it clearly, but Americans do not want to see it, and generally bludgeon anyone who points out the problems. Because as everyone "knows", America is perfect and the greatest country on the face of the earth (this is sarcastic in case you do not get it). I agree that the religious right is causing problems, and has caused problems in the past, but there are planty of other difficulties with US education. I could give a HUGE list just from my own experiences, but this is not the right place for it. If  orangemarlin wants any help with writing an article about the state of US education, I would be glad to volunteer.