I haven't seen locally what you have stated, Mrzzy. But, then I am not realy "in tune" with the USA educational system. Is religious education actually offered in all USA public schools-if I understand you correctly, (I suspected it would be so in private religious schools), or is it limited to specific areas? This seems very odd to me?

I suspect a failure to focus more on science related preparation in the school system is, from what I read, broad in many western countries. This may explain why some Asian countries have leaped ahead (or, caught up) of western nations in many fields of science- in recent years.