Donna2, As a retired teaacher I couldn't agree more. Years ago "they" talked about getting rid of the Dept. Of Ed. As with all government programs it is almost impossible to do. The schools are 180 degrees different from when we went to school. For starters discipline needs to be re-established. In my day if I got in trouble at school I would be in more trouble when I got home. Now the parents are in the teacher's face if you look cross-eyed at little Johhny or Mary. Passing kids on to the next grade, even if they haven't mastered the skills required needs to stop. So many kids are gradulating and they can barely read or write. Unfortunately, I don't see any changes soon, The NEA is way to powerful.