Want to solve the teacher shortage? Fix the classroom-discipline shortage

As for respecting our teachers, progressives have done virtually everything in their power to diminish it. Eighty-eight percent(!!) of teachers involved with the American Federation of Teachers said in mid-June that “poor student discipline and a lack of support for dealing with disruptive students” is a “very serious” (70%) or “fairly serious” (18%) problem. And 75 percent said teaching conditions have “deteriorated” over the last half decade.

While “student attitude, apathy, discipline, behavioral issues [and] truancy” made up only 29 percent of that figure, another 58 percent (29% each respectively) said “workload, more responsibilities, unrealistic expectations” and “no support, recognition from the administration” … both of which are directly related to student discipline matters. …

The months of virtual learning merely exacerbated an already disintegrating discipline situation. Due mainly to “equity” measures, students now get away with virtually anything. Too many school leaders govern like those in charge of our largest metropolises, and we’ve see those results: Cities can’t staff police forces, and residents are exiting for locales that have sane policies.

Teachers — and parents — are merely following suit.