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But the teachers union is to blame for this.

The unions aren't blameless, but I don't believe they are solely to blame. The politicians and judges deserve a share as well, as do administrators, teachers, parents, and students. I don't think any one factor is solely to blame.

Every school has several teachers who don't know what they are doing and turn kids off. Right?

I already said there are bad teachers out there. Some schools have more than others. Of course, every school I've ever been associated with also has several fantastic teachers on the other end of the spectrum, and quite a few who are average.

When I put the blame on the teachers union, it is from personal experience. I went into teaching from engineering, I was very well prepard to teach math and science. I ended up leading the debate club, the senior class, and the soccer program because the teachers in my district were all experienced and older than me. (and therefore did not want to have these extra duties.)

When they had a layoff, they used senority even though it meant some non math credentialed teachers took over my positions (and they dropped the debate and soccer programs). Personally, I would have preferred to see competition for the remaing positions, and still think the best teachers would prefer a merit based pay and hiring and firing system. I see nothing but socialism in the concept that all teachers of a given year of employment get the same pay. Of course the poorest teachers have a different viewpoint but if you put the education of kids first and foremost, how can you support what is going on now?

BTW, when I went to school, the seniority system worked because there was high growth and new teachers could continually be hired, if that were always true then the present system would not be so bad, but if its bad I say bring in vouchers and let the staff fight it out. (I know, I am mean -- but the education of a generation seems to be at stake.)