National Outrage: Half of Teachers Quit in 5 Years

How we treat the teaching profession is an important indicator of what's wrong with America. With 2/3rds of young people not knowing where Iraq is on the map, we should be concerned as a nation. There is no more important a job than that of a teacher. How well educated we are as a nation determines whether we progress or perish. The fact that half of all new teachers quit within 5 years says we don't take teaching seriously. They are taken for granted. Teachers must work under difficult circumstances with poor pay. Many schools have become jungles with students running amok. The stories of teachers being attacked or harassed are all too common. Many violent students are tolerated because of liberal notions about disadvantaged youths. Rather than kicking out those who are disruptive these hoodlums are given plenty of opportunities to prey upon teachers and fellow students. Teachers have become babysitters forced to deal with the psychological problems that are increasingly common with youths from broken and abusive homes. Teachers are under siege. They need greater support and prestige - not to mention money - not less.