Unbelievable discussion about how to deal with teachers and education.

The idea that the solution to our growing failure in the public schools is MORE public schooling is so far off base I don't know where to begin. The last thing we should do is have government run preschool for all children. While the teachers' unions would love to ensure more of their dues paying members have access to jobs, kids need parents.

For the kids who are already in daycare or preschool programs paid for by responsible parents, expanding the public school program simply shifts the responsibility of payment from the parents to the tax base. For the kids who are sitting at home with a parent who isn't parenting, the school becomes the de facto parent and a free babysitter for an irresponsible parent.

While teachers are important and should have the proven ability to teach a content-based curriculum, teachers are NOT the key to education- PARENTS are the key to education. Teachers may be able to save a very small percentage of kids who sadly have derelict parents but the majority of kids who are failing in our schools are doing so because they have parents who are neglecting their children's education.

Until we honestly talk about failing parents we will NEVER solve the problem of failing schools. Attentive parents need to have the option to move their children to better schools, which are often characterized by attentive, involved parents. Again, the key to every child's ultimate success at school, or at home.