Bill N - I am not a reflexive supporter of teachers. By way of example, it is hard to argue that the teachers in Chicago (or at least their union) are not making a miserable situation even worse.
But in Fairfax teachers are not the problem. I think this unassailable, but some might disagree.
Illegal immigration is the problem. Yes, illegal immigration, because legal immigration historically brings people with far different goals, motivations and skills than those here illegally.
I don't care about the politics. I care about facts. There is little question that in a knowledge based economy our current immigration policy, or lack thereof, will have a significant impact on productivity and will cause those who produce to give ever more for a safety net - and the safety net might not be very effective or have many truly salutary aims. Not a happy picture.
I am not sure I agree in total with articles like the one below, especially because I don't buy the view that teachers unions are the boogeyman the right makes them out to be. Cognitively limited students are the problem, harsh or not.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/283071/closing-achievement-gap-reihan-salam-tino-sanandaji
Note the point to be made, however, is that demographic impacts are real, and will continue to be. And having the discussion about cognitive differences are essential to discerning any fundamental, or correct approach to solving the challenges. Of course, having that discussion in the schools gets an educator fired, but perhaps we can move to being more open at some point soon.