It all starts at home. Most kids today are absolute nightmares because their parents are too selfish and lazy to spend the time it takes to produce a properly functioning member of society. I know so many parents of young kids who won't leave the house with their kids unless they have a Ipad or something on which to watch a movie for the kids, and then will let their kids run all over restaurants while they zone out and talk to friends or text or read things on their phones.
The Ganesh wrote:
The US had the best educational system in the world. Some of the greatest achievements were by products of the 60's educational system (moon landing).
Teachers didn't take ANY crap from students, parents, or politicians. Nobody citizen groups were telling teachers to teach creationism in science class. Teacher unions were strong and teachers were respected and feared.
Now young teachers bow down to parents, kids, and any active parent group. Certain parents suck the life out of educators with all their egocentric demands. Too bad.
Just because we were 1st in the world in the 1960's doesn't mean we've gotten worse. It could mean everyone else has gotten better.