[sbarbarian]

Another major issue in this discussion is the definition of 'teacher'. As referenced throughout these comments, a 'teaching' job varies dramatically on the district, age, etc. Students from a difficult home life need a social worker than an algebra teacher, yet the state mandates the class no matter how poor the delivery, content, outcome, etc. Meanwhile, teachers get stuck with responsibilities not in their job description...no wonder so many quit.

Its antithetical to the American dream (i.e. an equal starting point for everyone) but we must provide different paths better suited to acknowledging reality and providing reasonable outcomes. Staff them with job descriptions fitting the actual need, and work from there.