Education is offered to everyone in the United States; however, 25% of the people who enter school as five-year-olds never graduate from high school. In Japan, the high school graduation rate is 95%, and in Germany and the United Kingdom it is equally as high. However, in countries such as Mexico and Third World nations, many people never complete the equivalent of a high school education. The percentage of people who attend college after high school varies from country to country as described in the text.

Currently, many nations are sending a large number of students to U.S. universities, and many foreign companies are giving grants to U.S.

“think tank” universities (such as MIT, Stanford, Chicago, and Harvard).

1. In light of this information, what do you see as the future role of U.S. universities in the world?

2. Is the fact that 25% of the U.S. population does not graduate from high school important in light of what is happening in other countries in the world?

3. Is the fact that so many foreign students are attending college in the United States positive or negative? What do you see as the long-term effects?