Is the criticism of today's public schools and its employees unwarranted? This document highlights some data that cast the performance of American public schools in a more favorable light. Contrary to popular belief, today's students compare favorably with those in the past and with students in other countries. A higher percentage of American students complete high school than ever before, and many go on to college. Students who directly enter the workplace are generally well prepared. The digest traces the decline in SAT scores to changes in the demographics of test takers, and shows how comparisons with other nations do not reflect cultural differences. For example, in many countries the tests are taken by an elite group of students who have more hours of instruction and practice than students in the United States. Nearly 60 percent of American students progress to postsecondary studies and about 26 percent receive bachelor's degrees. Finally, social and economic conditions have a large influence on the educational system's ability to perform its task. (LMI)