After a leisurely three summer months outside of the classroom, students return to school to further their education, reluctantly. However, the "pressure" that many students whine about during the nine months of school is incomparable to the "pressure" on students in other countries who study at a higher level than most American students.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress - more commonly known as the "nation's report card" - high school seniors who are excelling have the wherewithal to exceed on a daily basis; however, in the overview of test scores, they are increasingly failing compared to other nations.

Former secretary of education, Margaret Spelling, said, "If, in fact, our high school students are taking more challenging courses and earning higher grades, we should be seeing greater gains in test scores."

Moreover from 1990 to 2005, the United States' national grade point average increased from a 2.68 or a B minus to a 2.98 or a B.

In essence, over the course of 15 years, students have not enhanced their educational abilities as much as they have increased modern styles and trends in fashion.

In addition to the aforementioned evidence, a U.S. News article posted statistics showing that only 17 of the top one 100 high schools in the United States have a college readiness rate over 90 percent.

That is a considerably low ratio when you add the remainder of the high schools throughout the nation that didn't even make this list.

Shreya Shah, Bloomington