[Wonder Warthog]

"I find the "worst schools in the world" to be complete and utter BS vomited on us by a sensationalist media that survives by selling fear."

Unfortunately, the statistics prove you wrong. American children are less well educated than almost everywhere in the "developed" world, and many places in the "developing" world. SURELY you have seen the results of standardized tests for math and science given to groups in different countries???

"My parents have dedicated their lives to educating kids."

All my female forebears for three generations back taught school. I thought about it, and had actually intended to major in chemistry and minor in education--imagine my surprise when I found out that it was impossible to do so--you had to major in education to be allowed to take education classes (at a major state public college). So, the ed biz lost out, and I became a chemist and instrument designer instead.

[mysterio]

In those studies, did they test the parental involvement? As a child, my parents forced me to pick it up when I was slacking off. The parents of my peers did not. Some of them earned mediocre scores. And I'm sure some of them are on message boards right now decrying the state of the US education system. So I think scoring the entire worth of our education system using standardized tests doesn't quite tell the whole story.

I might transition to teaching eventually. Still kind of mulling it over right now.

[Amelia]

All my female forebears for three generations back taught school. I thought about it, and had actually intended to major in chemistry and minor in education--imagine my surprise when I found out that it was impossible to do so--you had to major in education to be allowed to take education classes (at a major state public college). So, the ed biz lost out, and I became a chemist and instrument designer instead.

I majored in chemistry as an undergrad, and worked in industry for a number of years before going back to school for teacher certification. It can be done, if you're still interested in teaching.

It's a big paycut, though.