A good look at how we have failed our children with the current educational system that makes schools focus on teaching to the test, specifically the standardized ones given to students each year. It further exposes the fact that this has been made even worse by removing much of the science from the tests, which in turn causes schools focused on these tests to eliminate science programs from their curriculum. And what causes schools to focus on the tests? The fact that their financial packages are directly tied to it.

Ainissa Ramirez uses all of this information to show how we are failing to produce the next generation of children who can take us to the moon, or cure the worst diseases. We simply do not have enough children going into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields to fill the needs our current technological society needs. While they are busy texting away on their smart phones, too many of them have no idea how they really work under the plastic shell.

But, while Ainissa notes that removing the focus on standardized tests will be difficult to do and require much effort, there are things we as a society can do now to counter the effects. She goes on to set out a list of things we can do to show kids that science is exciting.

If there is one point of the book I disagree with, it would be where Ainissa mentions paying teachers based on performance; I fear that that would actually continue to focus on the standardized tests.

If you have kids and care about their future this is a must read book. ( )