I'm not talking about outliers. I'm talking about our best estimates of average effects.

Undisciplined

Its not just about the one outlier that becomes successful without education. 
"A population that is better educated has less unemployment, reduced dependence on public assistance programs, and greater tax revenue. Education also plays a key role in the reduction of crime, improved public health, and greater political and civic engagement."


Satosora

econ

Punishment is a Public Good

That doesn't demonstrate anything. You have to know what would have happened without a government school. It's not like they would just lay down in a gutter.

This is why I keep bringing up evidence. Returns to schooling is one of the most studied things in the world. For the most part, people's future outcomes are determined by the characteristics of their parents, rather than the characteristics of their schooling.

There's a very small group of very successful people who do seem to benefit heavily from schooling, while the return is insignificant for almost everyone else.