what evidence and what data? I studied math in Syria and was doing Calculus at 8th grade, came to the states and was forced to redo basic algebra. Do you know how soul crushing it is to redo those classes?

edit: I dont understand how poor war-torn countries can have a better educational system than the most developed country in the world.

I can echo your sentiment. Came from Lebanon and was surprised by how little math people knew here from high school.

Ahla fik khayye :)

How does the current system hold everyone down?

> No, its based on empirical evidence that the way things were done previously holds everyone down

Could you expand on this?

On the surface, I agree. The curriculum that is pervasive in contemporary high schools was developed at a time when few people (~5%, iirc) went to high school and most of those who did went to tertiary education or white collar support jobs.

That said, this may not be the direction you mean.