[Sacajaweau]

We learned using a huge abacus in KINDERGARTEN. I was a few months short of 5 when I entered. It was a very structured education.

Kids in the younger grades at the present time are two years behind in many cases in both reading and math. They spend MUCH more time on art projects and junk and I'm talking 10X or 20X. I think teachers today, in the lower grades in particular, stink, and so do their attitudes.

[goodnesswins]

I agree about the "art" projects in the lower grades....sheesh....but, not ALL teachers have bad attitudes, really, but a lot of them, I think give up to the Union and Fed Gov't mandates, and the fact that they cannot improve THEIR lot over another teachers by virtue of "performance." (I think the education system is a great example of SOCIALISM.)