I think one must also address the inequality of public education by neighborhood. I grew up in an affluent neighborhood and the public schools were and are still excellent. I don't know of a truly wealthy neighborhood that does not have a really good school (I'm sure there are exceptions here but this is what I observer in Los Angeles).

Also growing up in this kind of environment was very conducive to learning because:

1. All the adults around me were gainfully employed professionals in well paying jobs.

2. I didn't have to worry about my physical safety on a daily basis. Violent crime on campus was nearly non-existent.

3. Many of the kids in my neighborhood had their moms at home plus their fathers were often home at a reasonable hour. Today this seems like an economic impossibility for most. Parents at home contribute greatly to a child’s learning. Many parents today - myself included - work MUCH longer hours. Few can afford to be a single income family. I'm sure there are exceptions but that's how it is here in LA.

4. In high school nearly all of the student body was focused on what college they were trying to get into. Only a handful that graduated DID NOT go onto further education.

I think the problem is complex. Teachers are not well paid, yet they can have such a huge impact on our future generations. Why is this? If teaching were really valued it would/should pay more - right? Or is compensation to be determined only by a short-term monetary profit?

I don't know what the figures (maybe someone can answer this?) - are, but how much does our country spend on education relative to other programs? Looking back to the post war era, how much of the federal budget was spent on education compared to how much is spent now (in relative terms and $$s)? After all it takes money to train and pay teachers and build well equipped and designed schools.

I'm not saying that the answer lies in spending endless dollars on education at the public level. There's obviously a lot of inefficiencies in government. But my point is that I did receive and excellent public education. It IS possible.

I think about how we have the greatest military in the world. We have the best weapons in the world. How did this come about? Our government spent lots of money to have all this stuff developed (yes, I know these are private contactors) and to train and house or men and women of the armed forces.

Maybe we could use a similar apporach in education?

As to the comment on the NEA - sflori - you do mean the National Endowment for the Arts - right? I'm not sure if I understand your point. Arts are an important component in teaching children critical problem solving skills as well as giving them an outlet for creative expression. Those who can problem solve in creative ways tend to be most successful in whatever business they go into.