The author uses his experiences in England and America to discuss why neither country to this point has been able to achieve their stated goal of educating all citizens to a high standard. He argues that this is largely a result of three factors: continued widespread poverty in both countries; significant population segments that are opposed to education as it is currently delivered; and a general lack of seriousness on the part of the educational establishment. He suggests that nothing will change without ensuring, first of all, that all students leave primary school with the appropriate skills. He argues therefore that funding should be directed at the lower grades rather than at the higher, and that graduation from primary and secondary schools should be made meaningful, so that colleges and companies do not have to provide remedial education.