http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/nde/statecomp/
pointer to research on education
An editor forced the deletion of the following from an article. Probably be censored here as well. The truth is hard to take.
"An editor inquires if American cases were more prevalent or does America have better reporting. There are several answers. 1) There are stronger libel laws elsewhere. Thanks to relaxed libel, we now have daily accusations of scandal which are never retracted but the media just rolls on to another. 2) Partly due to that, we also have many attorneys and a "deep pockets" rule, which says (in effect), "the law does not really care who is personally responsible for anything. If someone is standing around who has lots of money in deep pockets" we will make them pay, instead." Most countries aren't this "enlighted" yet. 3) American lawyers get a goodly chunk of the resultant windfall. Sometimes 40%. They don't get windfalls like that abroad, but get reimbursed for what benefit they have contributed. If not for the above, reports on priests in America would take their place with reports on police, teachers and other people whose employers can't be sued. Student7 (talk) 12:59, 31 August 2008 (UTC)"
1) Weak libel laws: Compares libel laws in the US with UK, Germany and Australia. Limited scope but solid reference. Libel#United_States Wikipedia recognizes weaker libel law in US .2a) Many lawyers: 950,000 lawyers in the US]. US has 233 lawyers per 100,000 population, number one in the world. 2b) Deep pockets: Reference to "deep pockets" in connection with industry. A very very vague, and therefore nearly useless, reference in Wikipedia which kind of speaks for itself.Time magazine on the topic of deep pockets. 3) Contingency fees: Contingency fees examined. Not sure how npov this is but appears to have solid info.