I learn from the Missouri NEA that next week is American Education Week. (I love how we have a week for everything. Next thing you know, we’ll have a week for Missouri’s cherished crayfish.) Next week will be all about public schools. There are even accompanying certificates. The Orwellian theme is:

Public schools: a great return on your investment.

How’s that for financial advice? It’s like, "Hiding money under your mattress: a great return on your investment."

If you want to know about public education’s true effect on our economy, take a look at the New Commission for the Skills of the American Workforce, which is much less sanguine than the NEA. They’ve given their report the ominous title, "Tough Choices or Tough Times."