Why were American higher education standard so high?

[James]

You only allow 28% students Graduated.
Finland and Astralia have 50 % 4 years graduation rates while they are not smarter or deligent as American.

[theviolet41]

You must be mis-understanding.

It's not that the School system ALLOWS people to graduate, it's just that is how many student who begin their education finish.

The low number is NOT caused by the schools. It is caused by the students. Ideally, every college wants high graduation rates, but if the students are the one's who fail courses, or drop out, then there isn't much the school can report other than that they have low graduation rates.

As for American students being diligent, I highly doubt that. Take a look at China, and Japan, and the students they have there. They have MUCH more studious habits, go to school longer, study more and harder, and have standards that are MUCH MUCH MUCH higher than the US.
That is why you see lots scientific discoveries in these countries. If you look at the US, you can see how much our education has declined over the last 8 years (hmm.... president Bush.....?) Funding for science and medical studies just isn't here.

So... before you make assumptions off of ONE percentage, DO some research. There are a LOT of different causes for what you believe is very simple.

[bleedblue12345]

I don't know, but most of the good/top universities have a retention rate of 90-95%+

[Bill]

Except at the elite schools the standard is not higher than anywhere else. The reason so few graduate is the standard of secondary education is lower in the US - as evidenced by the fact Australia for example has 3 year degrees. It is reduced by one year over US college because grade 12 covers what first year uni in the US covers eg math in Australia has 2 years of calculus at HS - in the US none.

Thanks
Bill