I like the public school system CONCEPT because I think that contributed heavily to a large American middle class. The system has problems, protecting lousy teachers might be among them. The most serious problem in public education is PARENTS who send their children to school unprepared to learn, without enough sleep, without a decent breakfast, without appropriate clothing, without a "learning attitude, without enough love and caring at home. There should be alternatives to the standard public school, including charter schools.

I'm a product of public education and accidentally managed to get an OK education. My kids are products of public education, and because their parents took some effort to be involved, they got darn good educations. They took all the advanced placement and honors classes that were available to them. My oldest daughter's biggest bout with trouble came in 10th grade when the teacher (also the basketball coach of our state championship team) of WA state history admonished her for reading a book from another class. My daughter's untactful reply was that she could teach this class without studying because the bar was set low enough for the football players to pass it. Her candor wasn't appreciated, but neither did the teacher completely disagree with her. The mainstream classes aren't always the best use of an honor student's time, but it helps them better understand why they take honors and AP classes. Both girls attended highly selective colleges and universities and are now more abnormal than their father, thanks in part to public education.

Sg