<p>Skyhook the problem I see is that the union contracts do not allow math/science to be paid more (I said that in part of my post that you didnt highlight). Now that women can work in other than nursing or teaching (sorry if you are not old to remember when that was the case, but it was, for most people), the schools have lost their captive employees with the ability to teach math classes. We have to change, and figure out a way to get more people with quant ability in teaching. Even at elementary school level. Especially at elementary school level.</p>
<p>My highly ranked school district does a number of things. At the elementary school level, they have math labs run by parent volunteers, with teacher supervision, but parents are doing it. The only parents who volunteer, ime, were those very comfortable with math. Mostly mothers who worked part time. Average SAT math is 650, but what is more remarkable is girls are higher than boys. At the HS, math teachers at their option dont have to have home rooms, dont have to have admin responsibilites.</p>
<p>Marian, I see the problem as hitting harder in math/science.</p>