By Jayne Freeman Public schools today and the people who work in them are the targets of widespread criticism.
Ample evidence supports a more positive view.
The purpose of this ERIC Digest is to highlight some data that cast the performance of schools in a more favorable light. Contrary to popular belief, today's students compare favorably with those in the past and with students in other countries. A higher percentage of American students complete high school than ever before, and many go on to college. Students who directly enter the workplace are generally well prepared. Analyses of SAT and other test scores show that today's students compare favorably with past students.