Comparing American students to China and India

Americans watch Grey's Anatomy while their international peers study longer hours - By Eddy Ramírez - US News & World Report

Two million minutes is the estimated time that students spend in high school. It is also the title of a new documentary film that suggests American students squander too much of that time. While their peers in China and India study longer hours to sharpen their math and science skills, top students from one of the best high schools in the U.S. are playing video games and watching Grey's Anatomy during a group study session, at least in clips seen in the documentary.

The film, produced by Memphis venture capitalist Robert Compton and promoted by the ED in '08 political organization, is the latest attempt at igniting a national debate about the need to put more emphasis on math and science education if the United States is to remain competitive in a global economy. But supporters of the film acknowledge they face an uphill climb to make education a central issue in the presidential race.

Two Million Minutes: A Global Examination follows six students through their senior year of high school in the United States, India, and China. READ MORE