Yes, We Are Stupid in America!: A Former Principal's Reality Check on Why Our Public Schools Are Failing

Students in countries such as Finland, South Korea, and Singapore continue to outperform their peers in America. But that hasn't stopped the United States government from spending more money on education as achievement plummets.

Dr. Vicky Wells, a former school principal, explores what's going on at the federal, state, and local levels so that members of the public can hold bureaucrats accountable. In a series of reality checks, she explains how to

- meet the growing crisis head on;
- equip students with the necessary skills upon graduation;
- make decisions based upon the input of real-life educators; and
- ignore politics in order to best serve students.

Teachers and parents trust leaders to make decisions based on what's best for the students. Even so, all too often, decision making seems to be more about politics and quid pro quo-and this does not best serve students, educators, or the community.

The educational system continues to decline, and students keep dropping out or graduating without the knowledge they need to succeed. It's time to stop constantly changing curriculum and start focusing on the real problems confronting teachers and students.

Dr. Vicky Wells is a lifelong resident of a small, rural town in southeast Georgia. A former stay-at-home mom, she earned a degree in early childhood education, a master's degree in counselor education, and a doctorate in education from Georgia Southern University. She was an elementary school teacher and middle school counselor before serving as a middle school principal for seven years. She retired in June of 2012 but remains committed to educational reform.