"How to Fix Our Math Education"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html?_r=1&hp&gwh=73C45DE7B6661EC4AE63332ACB1AC635

Short editorial that brings up something I love to talk/debate about: the state of education in the U.S.
The editorial makes an interesting argument towards more "real life" math teaching. I can't say I completely disagree. As my days as a para with the 6th graders- I pretty much learned 6th grade math again. Probably a good thing.
But I'm glad that the editorial points out clearly that this problem with how we teach math (and other subjects) has been accelerated by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). NCLB tries to make blanket assumptions and sets impossible standards. By 2014, when these "goals" are to be met- every school would be on "the list". No schools would be making Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). NCLB has seriously messed up our schools. We focus on teaching materials that will be tested, and really just teaching students test taking skills. Whoops, we forgot about teaching critical thinking and creativity.
But going back to the "old ways" won't work either- because our culture has greatly changed. It will take a great cultural revolution if we expect education to go back to the way it used to be (which is over nostalgic, because our education system has always had problems...but that would be quite the tangent)- many adults grew up feeling failed by the system and have passed that bitterness on to their children, who don't take school seriously. That and there is a great number of students whose lives are much too complicated and then pile school on top of that. Kids want to learn- but testing the hell out of them isn't the way to reach them. It's going to take everyone realizing the part they play and working to making things better.
Working in education was part of the reason I went back to grad school. Working with middle school age kids made me realize how they'd been failed. How regardless of whether they had acquired the proper skills needed to advance, they were passed along each grade level to become someone else's "problem". These kids lacked the critical thinking skills to know how to search for current events and find quality information. They had no idea how to do research, and while there are many quality teachers trying to do the best they can- it really comes down to a test for their professional livelihood, so non tested things are on the wayside.
I read a book by Diane Ravitch that I thought gave a good analysis on ways we've gone wrong. Notice I said ways- because this utter failure cannot be traced back to one person/place/thing. It's a combination of many things.
It's a daunting task and it's a lot to ask- but it needs to be done. I know I didn't grow up with the greatest education, but it was much better than what I witness today. And I feel a civic duty to try and impart my skills and wisdom to help students become the best people they can- people who can read, write, interpret, and think for themselves. Not people who can figure out the best answer to a multiple choice question. We all need to work together- schools, libraries, government, businesses- everyone benefits from a better educated population.
Can I offer answers or solutions? No, and I don't believe I'm qualified to do so. There are too many cooks in the kitchen as it is.