Educational Stagnation is America's Biggest Problem, David Brooks Says

In David Brooks's recent New York Times opinion column, he points to America's lack of educational progress as the leading factor threatening our long-term societal and economic growth.

Specifically, the nation's collective productivity has declined as educational attainment has plummeted; this has simultaneously stretched the gap between the country's rich and poor.

As a teacher, it's hard to disagree. We instinctively know that education serves as the foundation for being a good citizen and a positively contributing member of society. This belief is why we became teachers in the first place.

What do you believe? Is there an issue more fundamentally problematic in America at this time?