I would believe that we would have a lot of what you say if we could get the pernicious influence of the NEA out of the schools and teachers handled their own employment relationship with the schools instead of a union that pretends to be about education but is actually a leftist money funnel for Democrats.

I also agree with you regarding localizing education, dismantling the Dept. of Education and overhauling the whole notion of how we teach. I learned to read when I was two years old, and I believe that pretty much any kid can, as long as someone takes the time. And once you can read, your whole world is unlocked. At three. Or four.