Math Challenged?

Time Magazine is getting buzz because of their big cover story, "Dropout Nation." Even a casual reading suggests there are some math problems with their statement that 1/3rd of students aren't finishing high school, and it's been this way for a long time. (Alan Reynolds does a good job debunking their data and analysis.) And as World Magazine editors point out, why doesn't "60 Minutes" do a story on the crisis in high schools?

There are plenty of concerns about public schools. There are systemic problems that require careful thinking and sustained effort on the part of the curriculum designers, the teachers and administrators, the parents, employers, and especially the students. Throwing more money at the problem does not help when the problems are heart and character issues.

Time Magazine is in the business of selling magazines and ad space. Math-challenged readers are going to fall for their strategy of hype and exaggeration every time.