[SandwicheGuy]

While it is appropriate to write off many urban schools, I deeply dislike the idea of conservatives writing off all public schools.

Just wait, as you gain wisdom with age, you will join the conservatives in writing off public schools.

You can convince me that public schools do a good job if you can get ANY graduate of a public school in our great United States to pass the eighth grade test given to students at local schools over a hundred years ago. It's on the net. Students then, went to one room schoolhouses for all grades, the older students helped teach the younger.

Now we a vast bureaucratic teachers union, that at huge cost to taxpayers, teach the little ones how to put a condom on a banana and the correct wearing of a hajib. And they can't spell, write coherently, or use logic. You defend public schools now, but you you will get over it.

[GingisK]

Now we a vast bureaucratic teachers union, that at huge cost to taxpayers...

Not where I teach. Georgia has laws against teacher unions. That allows the administration to hold teachers hostage using their certificate as leverage.