“I’ve met an inordinate number of young teachers who can’t spell, add or subtract, let alone construct meaningful sentences—and there seems to be more of them every year.”
I am convinced that many of the teachers today are the “second (or maybe even third) string.” The first string women (for the most part) were the teachers, nurses and secretaries through the 1950’s. Then they began to be accepted into the professions. Now, the first string go on to get their MBAs, PhDs, Law degrees, medical degrees, etc.
I tend to agree, especially in the case of young teachers. The situation is often different with career changers who turn to teaching after having stayed home with kids for some years. I know a number of very intelligent women who are "sitting on" MBA's and raising kids. They don't all wish to re-enter the rough and tumble world of business. Quite a few are re-discovering the family-friendly work schedule of teaching, light office work, etc. It's not unusual for women to make a lot of changes to accommodate the changing needs of their families.
Bingo! My teachers were highly competent ladies, battleaxes, but highly competent.