Is this an Irish joke?
It is as funy as one, and it St. Pattys and all.
There is nothing unAmerican about bringing cometition into the education industry.
It is clear that it needds it.
The only thing keeping excellence from breaking out is the oligarchy of bureaucrats and teacher unions, and you know it.
If meidicrity is the American way, then continue tweaking the staus quo.
But don't pretend that your "solution" is anything other than a continuation of a failed search for excellence.
Ed