America's public education system, until Reaganites started dumbing it down in the 80s, was the envy of the world, had produced the world's most-admired middle-class, and the most great scientists, statesmen, and entrepreneurs, up until that time.    The main exception is that poor and minority education has slipped badly, and everyone knows  -  but conservatives won't admit  -  that that phenomenon has more to do with the students' (and the school's) zip code, and the incomes and opportunity of those residents, than with the conservatives' false idols of inadequate teacher training, over-adequate union power, or unconcerned teachers.   Maybe conservatives, and Mme. DeVos's legions should be more concerned with inadequate student-parent motivation, increased teacher (as educational experts) input, and more informed political leadership.