Game Theory #2: Why Schools Suck

The lecture uses game theory to analyze why schools often fail to meet their stated goals of literacy, core competencies, and lifelong learning. It argues that schools prioritize face, easy grades, and pleasing stakeholders over genuine education due to the convergence of interests among students, parents, teachers, administrators, government, and colleges. Professor Jiang shares his experience creating an innovative study abroad program in China, which was ultimately rejected because it disrupted the established, unfair game. The lecture explains that each stakeholder is motivated by achieving the best results with the least amount of work, influenced by societal factors like wealth, inequality, and corruption. The key to reform lies in understanding these converging interests and implementing changes within their acceptable boundaries.