Task force calls for greater focus on improving U.S. education system

From The Associated Press: The nation's security and economic prosperity are at risk if U.S. schools don't improve, warns a task force led by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Joel Klein, the former chancellor of New York City schools. The report cautions that far too many schools fail to adequately prepare students. The State Department and U.S. intelligence agencies face critical shortfalls in the number of foreign language speakers, and fields such as science, defense and aerospace are at particular risk because a shortage of skilled workers is expected to worsen. The task force, consisting of 30 members with backgrounds in areas such as education and foreign affairs, was organized by the Council on Foreign Relations. According to the report, 75 percent of young adults don't qualify to serve in the military because they are physically unfit, have criminal records or inadequate levels of education.

Reaction....from The Washington Post: The best parts of the Rice-Klein report are the dissents, says one commentator.