As a former teacher I wholeheartedly believe that every child can learn HOWEVER I agree with IWISHIWASTHERE, parents are the foundation for a childs learning. I used to have 4 & 5 year olds come to me that new nothing. Not one color, number, letter, some could not even talk.They however were some of my best students seeing how far they came in one year....
I do know that there are some HORRIBLE teachers out there. I taught with some. What to do? I dont know...There is no pay in teaching. That is one of the reasons I left. I could wait tables or be a front of house manager and make more money.
Teachers, fiiremen and policemen all should be paid more. (sorry if I left some occupation out)
also as a former teacher and director of special education at UofA, I am very concerned with America's educational system in general. You and Iwish have good points about parent involvement - this is critical - the child's home is the most important environment and determines so much about his/her success in life. But, I'm not talking about home life (or personal values) in this political discussion - this is an entirely separate and complex problem in our society (not just lack of parent participation in school, but socio-economic impacts, minimum wage/hard-working parents, lack of discipline, extreme materialistic values, lack of spirituality or respect for self or others, etc).
I'm talking about real educational goals with exceptional programs, the best of educators, and a philosophy of education that makes learning the most important and wonderful endeavor in a person's life. If our private and charter schools can do this, then why can't we expect the same of public schools as well? Government has done some good things by mandating education access for all (regardless of race, creed, handicap) - but maybe its time for the private sector to take over. Education should be available to all citizens, but maybe its not exactly a free education, and certainly a partnership between school and parents needs to be a mandate (as with charter schools).
It sounds very idealistic, but if we make education a real American priority, then I think all of the other issues, including world peace, will be handled with much more care, respect, vision, and competence. Those global citizens will be our children leading the way for the entire world. But, its gonna take a real change in the way government views the educational institution - its gonna take a lot more than a school voucher and a test. These things may have some value, but I find them insulting as a parent of a child who deserves so much more.
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