during the recents ASU graduations, one of the guest speakers at one of the ceremonies, made the statement, that the current generation of Americans, will be the least educated, compared to recent past generations.

Less education means less earning capability,
less earnings means less spending
which means less buying of stuff, which means worse economy

So the moral of the story is:

EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN, make sure the go to college

education means financial independence,
if you think education is expensive, try ignorance

"Educate" kids so that they are absolute conformists, don't learn critical thinking skills, and generally graduate stupid from high school, and you're absolutely guaranteed that they'll vote the liberal line every time. Someone has to promise them all the welfare they need, and this positively guarantees it. Keep 'em dumb.

I volunteered with the United Way in Phoenix yesterday.  In Maricopa County, 49% of children starting kindergarten are not ready to be there - some do not even know how to hold a pencil, some do not know the difference between blue and green.  Education needs to start when children are very young.  Read to them, interact with them, teach them, challenge them!

This low ranking is correct. No Child Left Behind doesn't always mean improved schools..... sometimes it also means the schools "dummy curriculum down" to the least acceptable standards so that it makes it easier for kids to pass......Additionally Arizona has the handicap of all the ESL students that burden the school systems as well.

I had to look long and hard to find a school that I wanted my daughter to attend because of this. Additionally, I had to "work" to get her in to that charter school, not just enroll her...... Parents at the school my daughter attends have to provide 50 hours of community service to the school as part of the child's enrollment also.  I work full time, and so my service to the school often is in the form of after hours work (projects preparing school materials for the classroom, or working on the school grounds on weekends)... I know this isn't for everyone.... but it is the choice I made to give my daughter the best education I could find and afford in Arizona.

Many times parents seem to feel that education of the kids falls all to the schools.... and when the child fails it is the school that failed ... But this isn't the case.... Education begins in the home. PArents have to be actively involved reading to the kids, teaching them basics, and putting in the time necessary to help the kids develop not only academically, but socially and emotionally.... all to often this just doesn't happen....

The "ranking" itself doesn't necessarily impact your child's ability to get in to certain colleges and universities.... but, if you do n't do "extra" to be certain your child is ready for placement exams, SAT's and ACT's then it could be an issue....School's only have to teach to the lowest level of achievement... and in ARizona, in some cases tht is not a very high standard. For information on the standards.... check the  Arizona Department of Education website... you can also look there for schools that are "highly performing".... in otherwords... having higher standards....you can also view schools "report cards", and see how the school ranks overall...... it is very eye openning

Too many parents stick their heads up their asses and blame the schools when little Johnny can't read.

If those people got involved with their kids, maybe they wouldn't be dead last.