Martin Zuhlke: Want more teachers? Then discipline the kids

Re “Provide Incentives to bring in Teachers” (Page 3D, Nov. 29): In response to Fran Pauley’s and Kevin McCarty’s call to provide incentives for new teachers, I get sick and tired of every education problem being solved by throwing more money at it. There is very little correlation between increased funding and quality education.

Question: how much of the state budget goes toward education and where does out state rank nationally?

Even if there were more financial incentives for new teachers, the lack of support by spineless administrators and school boards (must not suspend or expel defiant, foul-mouthed Suzy or Johnnie) or parents who coddle their children rather than support their teachers, makes teaching a misery. A possible way of getting young people involved in teaching would be banning all smart phones from public schools and then maybe the students would pay better attention.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Martin Zuhlke: Want more teachers? Then discipline the kids."