Wow. Does this teacher even have a degree?

Over 50% of African American students drop out of California high schools. Over 52% of Hispanic students drop out of California high schools. Pretty bad? Consider that only 1 in every 3 California teachers is certified to teach their subject, or any subject completely. 

"Um, Ms. A, that's not really where Lebanon is. It's actually in the Middle East, not near Haiti."-Student

Taken from a recording my friend used in his muckraking piece on the Californian educational system, the quote conveys the state of education not only in the CA, but throughout the US. Despite that applicants are CLAMORING for teacher positions, the states still can't seem to hire the most qualified candidates for the job. Then, educational representatives wonder why students can't pass exit level examinations and boards. 

And why not concentrate on retaining those students who continue leaving. At inner city schools across the country, efforts are directed towards those that are doing fine, rather than those in jeopardy. The idea is parity. Schools should be a haven, not a discriminating institution. Though grades will always delineate, teachers and administrators should never. Those 50% numbers must be reduced before any educational parity or progress can be achieved. And before even that, 1 over the 3 should at least be changed to a 2.