[Tsuwabuki]

The answer: both.

Teachers can only do so much. We aren't parents, and we shouldn't be. Although we can encourage our students, give them opportunities, and work with them for success, we cannot do the work for them. At some point, especially during the adolescent years, a student must step up and decide for themselves to prepare for their future.

Basic math and science, which is what is taught at the high school level, is not really optional. Nor should it be. There is a certain minimum level of education all people should have, and we should always strive to make the minimum more and more difficult to keep up with technological changes in our daily lives.

...and tough being the only superpower left, but seriously, bemoaning American "imperialism" is so overhyped. As I've said elsewhere, it was cool four or five years ago. Now it's just silly.