The Obama administration is attempting to begin the process of overhauling the nation's public education system.  As one of his campaign promises, Obama is dissecting the No Child Left Behind legislation that was created under G.W. Bush.  According to the New York Times, Obama and the education secretary hope to rewrite the standards to produce college- and career-ready students.  In an earlier blog, I discussed a new "board-exam" style approach to high school education where students would be tested for mastery in tenth grade, then, if mastery is demonstrated, allowed to pursue college preperatory or community college courses.  The board exam is a very European approach to education.  So, too, is this suggested change of standards.  I am a firm believer in doing what you are good at.  So, I would have to support a system which encourages to pursue education that is appropriate for their futures.  For too long, our current system has maintained that every student can and should, and must (even if they don't want to) learn it all.  Let's face it, education has become watered down because we somehow feel obligated to offer everyone the same education.  Now, I do believe that everyone ought to be offered the same quality of education.  Students who wish to pursue a future in construction or mechanics ought to be offered an education that prepares them for that.  Students who wish to pursue a future in the medical field ought to be offered an education that prepares them for that.  In short, I believe that everyone ought to be offered a quality public education, just not the same one as everyone else.