I disagree; the kids graduating today have access to and knowledge of a great deal more now than back in yesteryear.  From where I graduated kids either went straight to work, joined the military or went to college.  Only 10 to 15% of us went to college.  It was a lot less expensive in the 1980s per credit than it is today.  

The opportunities and prospects today are much broader now than yesteryear.  If someone needs or wants new training, degree or advanced degree it is much more available now than before.  That is a good thing.  What I do see now more than before are parents who are NOT working with teachers as a team.  Instead, if Johnny didn't get what the parents FEEL Johnny deserves, there is pressure on the teacher, pressure on the school...pressure everywhere except upon Johnny.  That is not the teacher's responsibility - that is the parents' responsibility.

Healthcare and infrastructure in Alaska costs a lot.  That is not the teacher's fault.