American pupils feel the pressure to make money, which is done best by the American model through business or law schools. To get a business degree or MBA, one needs very basic algebra, even in 'good' business programs. We have a problem of culture obsessed with making money first, ahead of many other values including being creative. The MBAs and lawyers then go an run the country and promote their lifestyle: "I made it well without math or sciences, others can, too." Not sure when/how it will change, but this model puts us at great risk in a democracy: if the majority don't create any value, making money in itself is not creating value, then they'll run us into the ground. This was the very reason public schools were created; forgot what president in the 19th century figured this out. Pretty sad story we are living.