"What matters in life is different for everyone. For example, some might believe what really matters is what you've done to make the world a better place. On another note, academic achievement != academic credentials, or IQ. Academic achievement == learning, ability, effort. Schools aren't a perfect vehicle for this, but I'd much rather improve what we have than throw it all out to focus our students on how to make money. Thought experiment: Would it be more or less difficult for a student to become wealthy if everyone was taught how? How does this compare to mathematics?" - Ajay Kapal