Perhaps you misread my message? I didn't say that most kids can't learn long division (I said that I think that most can). I said that telling people they have talent for something when they don't is a bad idea.

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Really, as long as the rich think that improving the quality of education for the poor conflicts with their own personal interests or their interests of their children, nothing will ever be done.

I don't think anyone here has taken that position. smile I also doubt that wealthy people in this country can be characterized that way as a group. That's not really a fair statement. smile

But in answer to your question about who cares if people learn at different rates: federal law (NCLB) is very interested in that question and requires that public school children learn at the same rate. I agree with you that this is a bad idea.