>More recently we have the 'National Curriculum' which is an attempt to
>ensure
>all seceondary education throughout the country covers the same topics, but
>there are still several examination boards to choose from so it is still
>not
>perfect.
>
>How are things like this arranged in the US?  I know you have standard
>tests
>(SATs and so on) but do you have a sytandard curriculum and who sets the
>tests?

Nope.  There are theoretical goals set nationally, and schools are
"carrot-and-
sticked" to get them to improve to the national level, but the carrot is
money
and the stick is withdrawal of funds.  As though that makes sense...take
away
money from schools so they have fewer teachers and resources, then tell them
that they need to improve before they can have the money back.

My understanding is that the US has the worst educational and medical
systems
in the first world.  Oh well.

Mike H.

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