I have taught, briefly in the public schools, and this was my ongoing observation. A diversity of disciplines, science, math, the arts and sports should be part of a balanced curriculum. Many schools lack in many or all of these areas. However, the bigger issue is what all of these disciplines teach children and young adults. Responsibility, commitment, balance, boundaries, social norms, and reliability. These traits are applicable within the social confines of an educational setting and within the broader aspects of their families and neighborhoods. Children thrive with rules, boundaries and a well balanced education can reinforce these ideas and expand on them. For example, if you do not do your homework you will fail that component of this class, if you fail that you may not pass the course, you may have to repeat a year and your friends will go on ahead. If you practice your sport/art/skill you may become proficient enough to win/succeed/profit from the experience. Education, whatever form it takes should have consequences good and bad. A balance curriculum is a good place to start, with all possible genres of life available to the very young who are still discovering their talents, natural ability and desires. However, responsibility, reliability, repercussions, and boundaries are lasting lessons that transcend and specific lesson, and stay with children for a lifetime. Restoring these ideals to our schools is only the first step to making our education system to internationally competitive.