I think some things are taught best to the priorities of the local job market. For example, business-oriented New Yorkers would probably benefit from skimming calculus and focusing on probability and statistics. Boston, where knowledge and research is highly valued, should emphasize total understanding of the math that is taught, which takes up more of the curriculum but provides value to the community. And in Silicon Valley the schools might better serve the community by skimming most math in favor of teaching software development.<p>While I believe in high standards, I also am skeptical about how those standards are set and measured, and what the benefit truly becomes. If we teach the entire nation to be exactly one type of citizen, consumer, and worker, then we don&#x27;t really benefit or diversify our job markets, do we?