"What we need is kids that can think outside of the box, not get 3000 points on science tests."

What you're doing is comparing risk-taking to fundamentals. I would argue...why can't we have both? Isn't a better-educated population always better for the society?

"There's no markets in other countries too."

Except there is. In Belgium, government funds education -- at many different kinds of schools -- but if a school can't attract students, it goes out of business.