what are some Ideas that would help our education system become more efficient and educate more people? I think currently the "one size fits all" strategy is fundamentally flawed and people should be discussing how to improve it.
We should start off by throwing out the grades. Right now kids are taught to care more about the grades they get rather than the concept. They learn to pass the test and then lose the information. They should instead work toward mastering the concept. Teachers should teach students to think for themselves rather that rote learning. Curriculum should offer a broad view of the world and and not focus solely on academics. Curriculum should be developmentry based on intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. Students should be taught how to think clearly, do research, and examine themselves in writing. Learning through field experience, volunteering, and internships should be a focus in high school.
This is the Montessori model. It is a wonderful approach to education.
I think grade progression should go as quickly or as slowly as the child needs, not one grade per year. Let the smart kids advance through the grades more quickly and let the slow kids have extra time. Move them up a grade as soon as they've shown their ready.
Also, to get the kids interested in learning, give them more freedom to study the things they're interested in. This way they'll growing seeing learning as fun, rather than tedious.