America’s “failing education system” has become a cliché of contemporary journalism—and it’s most often blamed on the teachers. Union rules are said to protect the worst, while low salaries, crowded classrooms and unequal resources make it hard to retain the best. Disputes about standardized testing and the Common Core Curriculum have teachers caught in the middle. As another school year gets under way across the country, we’ll hear how today’s controversies reflect the history of a crucial profession.
Also, ISIS reportedly beheads a second journalist, and a “perfect political marriage” goes on the rocks in a criminal courtroom as jury deliberations begin.
Banner Image: "Teacher" by the U.S. Census Bureau - the U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Feature Photos. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
