It's not the teachers....

[D&H]

I have often run across public school teachers who are offended by the fact
that we have chosen to home-school our children. I would just like to say
that IT IS NOT THE TEACHERS that I have a problem with. It's the MASS
PRODUCTION and failure to individualize the programs to actually meet the
needs of specific children. How can any sane person who has experienced a
classroom situation claim that children "learn" when they're crowded in
with 25 or more other children? Teachers have to spend so much time on
discipline, catching and keeping the attention of the slower students, etc.
Those who are ahead are bored. Those who are behind get left behind
because the teachers have to keep up with the planned curriculum. Private
schools can afford to lower their student/teacher ratios to about 1:17
(I've looked into private schools in all three states we've lived in since
having children). I truly believe that public schools could do the same if
they would only open their eyes to what's better for the children.
Lowering ratios won't fix everything but it is a place to start in order to
make sure children are getting the attention they need.