Here is a thought provoking talk by Sir Ken Robinson that considers the effectiveness of our current educational paradigm to prepare children to participate in the economies of the 21st century ...

The problem is they're trying to meet the future by doing what they did in the past and on the way they're alienating millions of kids who don't see any purpose in going to school. When we went to school, we were kept there with a story which was if you worked hard, and did well, and got a college degree, you would have a job. Our kids don't believe that. And they're right not to, by the way. You are better having a degree than not but its not a guarantee any more. And particularly not, if the route to it, marginalizes most of the things that you think important about yourself. -- Sir Ken Robinson