Bdpapa, thank you!  In my career, I think the vast majority of my colleagues were dedicated and hard working.  As you say, there were a few just as you described, barely arrive on time and race the students out of the parking lot at the end of the day.  But, this is true of all jobs.  What you said at the end, however, is a HUGE issue.  I know we all pay taxes for public education, but if there were at least some kind of additional fee, maybe a refundable deposit, more parents would pay attention to their child's progress.  The better your child's grades the bigger the refund!  I cannot begin to count the number of times I had to call home because "Johnny" was doing poorly in class, only to have mom or dad give excuses why they cannot get him to do any work.  The best ever was a mom telling me how she and her husband leave the house before the son wakes up and does not come home until after he is asleep.  That's borderline child abuse!  Is it any wonder he did poorly?