[danw]

unlike European schooling, American education is not based on equation drills and memorization

Erm... My education hasn't been based on drills and memorisation despite being 'European'. I wish journalists wouldn't just make stuff up.

[startupper]

Yes there are a few inaccurate generalizations here. Another gem is: "Only a disproportionately minute number of discoveries traditionally came from directed academic research. "

Having said that the essence of the article is quite interesting.