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Piaget's theory identifies four developmental stages and the processes by which children progress through them. The four stages are:

Sensorimotor stage (birth - 2 years old)--The child, through physical interaction with his or her environment, builds a set of concepts about reality and how it works. This is the stage where a child does not know that physical objects remain in existence even when out of sight (object permanance).

Preoperational stage (ages 2-7)--The child is not yet able to conceptualize abstractly and needs concrete physical situations.

Concrete operations (ages 7-11)--As physical experience accumulates, the child starts to conceptualize, creating logical structures that explain his or her physical experiences. Abstract problem solving is also possible at this stage. For example, arithmetic equations can be solved with numbers, not just with objects.

Formal operations (beginning at ages 11-15)--By this point, the child's cognitive structures are like those of an adult and include conceptual reasoning.

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IMO, if our public educational system took Piaget's stages into account in structuring their programs, the US would not be lagging behind other developed nations.  Some subjects are taught too early, some too late, and almost none in an appropriate manner for the stage accompanying a particular grade. 

That said, public schools cannot be taken to task for education of students who are being raised in abusive, chaotic homes, or by parents who do not continue their own education (formally or informally) or express their appreciation for/positive valuation of education.

I was educated at home until I started college at age 16, but sent my older son to school when he asked me to.  He wanted to be involved in music and socializing, neither of which were possible while we were homeschooling.  I take my part of his education very seriously, and do not maintain the attitude that it is "the school's problem" to make him learn.

Again, IMO, if those two "missing pieces," of developmental-appropriateness and parental support and involvement were filled it, the US could have an effective educational system.

Doom said:

haha, fortunately for any truly democratic, free society, ideologues as yourself arent permitted to control education policy.

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Lots of kids can barely pass courses like math and biology, and you want to pile logic and reasoning on top of an stressed scholastic life? please.

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