Public education is in a world of hurt. First class sizes are too large. Second, students are not placed according to ability. Teachers are told to teach at 'C' level, and not to worry about those who fail to reach that level (they are "flat liners" anyway) and don't give too much attention to those above C as they are (if they want to) capable of learning on their own. Don't kick those who are disrupting the class out of the room, because they, especially, need your attention. Besides, if we suspend them, we lose attendance money. Promote students to the next level if they have not failed in more than three classes. Do not teach have remedial or catch-up classes because it is sure to hurt someone's self-esteem. The theory is that their esteem thrives if they sit in a class where they don't know what is going on, but their peers do, because they are still with their peers.
Before you say I must be exaggerating and joking--well, a great deal less than you are imagining or hoping. I've been through all of the above, but not on the same day with the same class. Usually. By the way, if a student gets one or two right on a test with ten questions, they are to receive a passing grade.
Don't get the wrong idea. The greatest majority of students are wonderful and students certainly deserve better than they are receiving. Shame on me, but I would seriously like to punch the people responsible for placing students who cannot yet add in pre-algebra. They need their own class, creatively taught.
I sincerely hope school choice will take care of many of these problems.
