Admittedly I'm speaking from very little experience! Like a typical Californian my views are biased around where I live, and since teaching is not my profession I don't take much interest in what's involved or the problems it faces outside of what I'm told to for assignments!
The only places I've really been outside of California long enough to gather any sort of opinion are Ft. Sill OK and San Antonio TX, but I suppose TX isn't a very good example either since it's population resembles that of Southern California pretty heavily.
Our Professor was also telling us that they've finally implemented a new grading system where children aren't just shuffled through elementary school. She said it used to be that if a rich parent wanted their kid in an honors class, they'd get into the honors class - regardless of if they were dumb as a brick or not.
I know the standards outside of our Country, especially in Japan are off the wall. From what I've read kids over there in the 8th grade are on par with our communit college students, which is just ridiculous.
I wasn't trying to use the English as a second language thing as an excuse for poor teaching, just simply that it's somthing to take into consideration when reading over some of these posts.
i'm only an assistant teacher until i finish my degree may 2011 
so i get lots of free time,none of the paper work and 2 weeks off becasue its the easter holidays over here!
