This is the stupid we elect and why we need more spent on education

I've always felt that much, much higher standards must be applied to curricula, teachers and schools, although usually when we suggest accountability for teachers' results, the teachers' unions oppose it. Students must really be forced to show some progress to be promoted to the next grade. Gifted students should be given opportunities to do advanced more work. Academic achievement should be rewarded. Teachers who repeatedly fail should be cautioned and offered help, but eventually fired. Schools which repeatedly fail should be cautioned and offered help, but ultimately the administrators should be fired.