'The Daily Show' Takes On The Education Crisis (VIDEO)

Lewis Black came on "The Daily Show" last night to give another one of his spirited rants, this time on education in America. Black pointed out how every fall the media suggests we are going to do something about the education crisis, but no change occurs.

As an example of misplaced funds, Black cited a California school equipped with spectacular amenities totaling up to over half a billion dollars, none of which directly benefit the curriculum.

"Half a billion dollars on a school? Did they build Los Angeles a Hogwarts?" Black said. "I went to school in an empty carton of Pall Malls!"

Black noted that there are some options, such as charter schools like the one in the documentary "Waiting For Superman" that provide better education with the cost of a humiliating lottery process. Black said he supports charter schools "as long as the selection process is as public and cruel as humanly possible."

So what else is there to do? "Meet The Press" host David Gregory suggests walking into any school - even if your kids don't go there - to ask if they need any help. Black laughed at the idea of an unqualified person walking in to a school to teach kids, but then he remembered Tony Danza's new reality show where he teaches English.

"He isn't qualified to be an English speaker!"

WATCH:

Comments

[researcher]

06:56 PM on 10/11/2010

the american psychic. we are best in everything.

oh the beauty of the universe and its karma.

arrogance and materialism leads to self destruction.

that is not confidence that is arrogance. world of difference.

the lessons of life an observer can learn from america's self destruction are once in a life time even several life times opportunity.

instead of learning these lessons most americans play victims.

[layman]

08:06 AM on 10/11/2010

Well teachers in schools are no good but American football coaches are the greatest things on earth, respectable role models, giving our kids world number 1 in confidence; who needs physics, math and geometry. That's one of the reasons American schools are so great.

[rtolmach]

10:41 AM on 10/10/2010

Thanks, Lewis! Here's a way everyone can help their local schools. . .

A new nonprofit helps schools get the classroom resources kids need to thrive. Teachers create Wish Lists. Visitors see exactly what is needed and how they can help.

See how easy it is to help your favorite school at http://ClassWish.org

[kflocker]

12:56 AM on 10/10/2010

Solution: Federalize teachers. This would take the salary and benefits cost off the shoulders of states that make up 75% or more of their financial budget allowing school districts to use their resources on infrastructure, books, technology, etcetera. It would standardize compensation and allow many teachers to goto small towns and areas that cannot compete with big city monetary packages. It would elevate the status of teachers and attract new recruits who would be throughly screened. It would make qualifications and requirements for teaching interchangeable and assignment of teachers centralized and thus reduce local nepotism. It would strengthen the moral of teachers and encourage their interests in furthering their education while stemming the tide of those leaving dissatisfied. The advantages are too many to list on this blog but I believe the point is made. Yes. federalize teachers.

[senorlou]

09:54 PM on 10/09/2010

Charter schools aren't all they're made up to be. Just so you all know.

[KJLSanDiego]

09:31 PM on 10/07/2010

Freeking love Lewis Black!

[jsgaetano]

02:15 PM on 10/07/2010

Lewis is da man.

[one1byke]

11:15 AM on 10/07/2010

Stewart appropriated AC/DC Album title, but Black sure was funny.

[ChicagoBob]

04:12 AM on 10/07/2010

Spot on, Lewis. Exactly right.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

01:28 AM on 10/07/2010

You da man, Lewis.

[Ryan Hidalgo]

01:16 AM on 10/07/2010

Sept. 26, David Gregory on Meet the Press, during "Education Week": "If you drive by a public school, even if your kids don't go there, walk in and ask how you can help."

This might work in a sqalid sector of community with poor educational oversight. It doesn't work in a middle class school run by image-conscious egoists like my former principal. He was principal of my high school 3 out of the 4 years I was there and in that time my education suffered dramatically. I had a number of teachers that did nothing, three that I can think of: my Biology teacher who I had twice--I didn't even know how evolution worked until I was in college--my Technology teacher, and my Psychology teacher who though was on her computer everyday like my Biology teacher, did at least have us watch a few videos and had a few guest speakers. The faculty was unrecognizable at the end of these years because so many left in disgust of the administrators' decision, among other decisons, to not enforce discipline at the administrative level. They believed disciplinary action should only exist in the classroom. It was an absurd philosophy that further deepened the visible ennui of teacher's dealing with unmotivated students. My mother, a former teacher there, was one of the teachers to leave. She came back when the administrators changed. My experience there strongly influenced my devotion to education reform. That's what I learned there.

[Mildmannered]

01:01 AM on 10/07/2010

funny: Lewis Black

[WardC]

11:54 PM on 10/06/2010

Where can I find the confidence video?

[insanityfollows]

09:46 PM on 10/06/2010

Love ya, Lewis!

[MayoGalway]

09:20 PM on 10/06/2010

Tony Danza! Ya Tony Danza. He was monitored. He cared. He stuck with it. It's our school system that is failing. This was no stunt, but a good faith effort.
Checkout the Finns.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesley-chilcott/my-crush-on-finland_b_751148.html#comments