I believe that education should be the most important issue of our times.  We have people out there that could be teachers but don't because they know they can't afford anything with the meager salary given to teachers (at least in my state).  You also have kids that have no respect and cause great teachers to give up and its not the teachers fault, that lies with the parents.  We need more funding for after school program and things that will make kids want to learn and enjoy school.  I know my friend who is a teacher says they spend more time taching the kids how to pass the semester tests than real studies because thats what the "No child Left Behind" act has made schools do.  Children are the future and to not give them the best education possible is the biggest shame.  There's also the problem that not everyone learns the same way but if we had more tutoring then maybe that would help.  I know that when I was in school I had a hard time with math and because my teacher didn't want to take he time to show us the proper way to figure out the problem only his way I failed the class but ended up getting a tutor who help me alot.  I just wish we could do something to help all these children now before its too late.