In Florida, the most important thing to teachers (and the school boards) is students passing the FCAT (state wide tests). The more in your district who pass the more funds you protect. It's no longer about teaching kids a good education. It's a ridiculous reward system to protect your job.
Most public schools have cut out "unnecessary" courses like; music, band, art, history (except American history - only teach what is needed to pass. You looking for an in-depth discussion of the civil war? Not gonna happen), advanced math (hell even basic math in some schools), the sciences, drama, english lit, etc, etc.
It's shameful down here. And I think it's a major factor in our "class divide".
You want your kids to get a good education, you send them to private school. If you can afford it.