Unfortunately, our school systems are in shambles in most places. I taught for 38 years and had to fight for discipline nearly every day. I was cursed by parents for assigning homework, hit by students, threatened by students and parents, and even had a contract on my house to be fire-bombed on the day of my son's graduation! I have been in those trenches. As always, as stated, the arts and personal enrichment classes are the first to go. The rare parents who can teach their children the basic living skills should be rewarded. We have a whole generation of boys and girls (young adults) who announce proudly, "I don't cook" as if wearing a badge of honor. Sorry for my soap box, but we are in sad shape in the US, I am afraid.