I've been on both sides; parent and teacher. I never left parenting, BUT I did leave teaching. It became apparent about 2 years into teaching that something was seriously wrong. My 5th and 6th graders couldn't form a coherent sentence, nor could they read. It wasn't their fault, but as a teacher, you're expected to teach them at grade level with grade level materials. That was impossible because I had to go all the way back to 1st and 2nd grade material. By the end of the year, at best, we were learning 3rd grade material and moving into 4th grade. I requested to maintain the same students the following year and moved into a 6th grade teaching position. The saddest thing I ever did was promote these kids to 7th grade. I had no choice, it was policy "No child left behind." It was like sending a baby into the street and telling it take care of itself. I resigned in March. I just can't watch it anymore. It's a system designed to fail and it's all about the $$$$$$.