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This reply is more to all of everyone reading but also specifically to you.

Anyway, you mention "lazy, unmotivated, and unable teachers" as one reason why the public school system should be shut down entirely. Others in this post have mentioned the worthlessness of an education degree. Unfortunately, this is true; however, many education degrees truly are worthy of honor. For example, to graduate from my university, I am required to take two American history classes, one world history class, one geography class, two science classes, one math class, and two writing classes in addition to all of the classes directly related to teaching. They will not let you graduate until you have a basic knowledge in all of the major subject areas. People who graduate from my university don't deserve to be termed lazy or unskilled. Yes, it is a large university teaching socialist ideals (which I have learned to ignore) but it does adequately equip future teachers.

In my opinion, the solution is not to close the public schools. My answer is to encourage more conservatives and morally-minded people to enter the teaching profession. Either force the Christian and private universities to improve their teaching programs or quit complaining about those of us who go to the larger universities. Support those of us who are trying to make a difference. I've read a lot on this thread about just abandoning the public school system in favor of private schools and homeschooling. I agree that the public school system is inappriopriate for many children right now but I think careful thought needs to be given to the alternatives. Many private schools aren't doing their jobs. If your public school truly is that bad, pull your children out but continue to pray for the local school and try to support those teachers who are fighting for change within it. Carefully analyze what is best for your children.

I'm not saying public education is the best option. I personally would not send my children to it in its current condition. On the other hand, I am leery of advocating closing all public schools. I think they could be great places as several posters have mentioned. I agree that they need a major overhaul. I just think coming up with a solution is a better plan than just pointing out the problems and blindly running to alternative forms of education, which may or may not be the best for every person.

"Yes, it is a large university teaching socialist ideals (which I have learned to ignore) but it does adequately equip future teachers."

Individuals passing through the teaching curriculum may turn out to be great teachers. The problem isn't with them, it's with the union. The union seeks nothing but power and control over the future of this nation. The union cares nothing at all about the students, it only works to maintain it's membership and their financial contributions (which it uses to advance it's political agenda).

"I'm not saying public education is the best option. I personally would not send my children to it in its current condition. On the other hand, I am leery of advocating closing all public schools."

Personally, I believe that "cancer" which infects public education is so deeply rooted that there is no choice but to quickly terminate the "patient." However, there are a few huge changes, that if made, would do one hell of a lot to put public education on the right track. The problem is that with each passing year that we delay, hundreds of thousands of bright, energetic American children are robbed of a productive future. And as far as I'm concerned, the damage done by one more week...one more day...one more minute, is too much to allow.

However, if I could snap my finger and make a few IMMEDIATE changes in public education so as to put it on a track that would far more adequately serve the needs of our children, this is what I would do.

1. Immediately pass federal legislation banning the practice of offering tenure at any level of education...elementary school through collegiate. The tenure system is a complete disaster.

2. Immediately pass federal legislation banning all forms of teachers' unions and/or collective bargaining for teachers at any level. The main priority of teacher's unions is not now, nor has it ever been, in sync with the priorities of the parents and students those teachers are there to serve. Teachers' unions...and in particular the NEA, are the most significant single impediment to the success of public education that this nation has ever seen, or ever will see. NEA union leadership are nothing more than political hacks and thugs. They have no place in or associated with any system that's intention is to truly help children.

3. Immediately pass federal legislation disbanding the US Department of Education

4. Immediately pass federal legislation banning any form of money transfer from the federal system to public education

5. Force public schools to reorganize and restructure themselves to completely limit the practice of structuring classes by age, and require them to structure classes by the ability of the children being taught.

6. Empower public and strongly encourage school officials to remove from the environment, children who are chronic behavior problems. And, make absolutely sure that the responsibility for dealing with the problem child once removed from the system is that of the parents, and no one else.