That's what happens when the elementary and middle schools pass the students on for "social reasons." That is a great injustice.So...if you can't count it, it doesn't count? What about the teachers who get classes of students already several grade levels behind? What about students whose parents are illiterate and can't help at home?Can their students read, write, and do numbers? Do they understand the most basic precepts of traditional science, history, and social precepts?How do you determine the underperforming teachers?If you want to improve public education fire the under performing teachers. The remaining ones will get the hint. Then... flunk out the under performing students. The remaining ones will get the hint too. Teaching and schooling are not for everyone.