The social factors cited in Ms. Kahn's letter are not addressed or corrected by simply "teaching about American History, free-maket economics and the workings of the US Constitution."  I taught in public schools for 28 years, and we were always trying to "do something different than what we [had] been doing" to get more kids to succeed.  We innovated like crazy, usually for minimal results, and then we were attacked for "failing" out students. If you've got a specific idea, a truly innovative, effective idea, let's hear it.  Otherwise, you need to let the trained professionals keep working for our kids, regardless of cost.