U.S. Teacher EXPOSES the 5 Worst Things About American Schools
Diva, a math teacher in US high schools and middle schools for 10 years, shares her insider perspective on concerning issues: daycare for students' babies, curriculum being dumbed down, racism against Asian students and teachers, and underqualified teachers teaching math.
In this story
- Insider Perspective: 10 Years in US Schools
- 😱 First Day Shock: Daycare for Students' Babies
- 👶 Teen Pregnancy: A 13-Year-Old's Story
- 💔 Student Deaths and Drug Culture
- 🏫 The "Highly Ranked" School Reality
- 📉 Curriculum Being Dumbed Down
- 👩🏫 Underqualified Teachers Teaching Math
- 📝 Placement Test Manipulation
- 🎯 Racism Against Asian Students and Teachers
- 💪 The Unchecked Power of Teachers
- 📢 Becoming a Whistleblower
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Diva, a math teacher in US high schools and middle schools for 10 years, shares her insider perspective on concerning issues that contributed to her decision to move back to India with her family. From daycare for students' babies to curriculum manipulation, this is an eye-opening account.
Insider Perspective: 10 Years in US Schools
Diva taught math in US schools for 10 years:
- First 5 years: High school in South Bay (ranked 8th) - 20 out of 22 math teachers were Asian
- Next years: Middle school in East Bay (ranked 13th out of ~2500 in California) - not a single Asian teacher
- Credentials: Math major, qualified to teach up to 12th grade math including calculus
- Also completed: Master's degree in e-learning while teaching
Key Highlights from This Interview
- High schools have daycare for students' babies - not for teachers' kids
- 13-14 year old student was pregnant, then 8 months pregnant again by year end
- Marijuana use legal and common - smell in classrooms and bathrooms
- Two student deaths during her tenure - one LGBTQ-related, one drug-related
- Highly-ranked school had worksheets with multiple mathematical errors
- Department lead never had math education - did Algebra 2 only "because she had to"
- Teachers intentionally failing students on placement tests
- Racist comments about Asian students and teachers at the "highly-ranked" school
😱 First Day Shock: Daycare for Students' Babies
Diva joined her first high school in South Bay in 2013. On her very first day, she received a culture shock that set the tone for her decade-long experience in American schools.
The Daycare Discovery
The school was a huge campus. When HR gave Diva the school map, she noticed a daycare and got excited. Daycares in South Bay cost $2,000-$3,000 per month for young kids, so having one at school seemed perfect for her daughter.
She went to HR and asked if she could enroll her daughter.
This was a ranked school - not a low-ranked one. It was ranked 8th at the time. And this was considered "normal" there.
👶 Teen Pregnancy: A 13-Year-Old's Story
A few months into the school year, a student came to Diva with a request that revealed the depth of the issue.
The Student's Request
The semester was closing, and a girl asked Diva if she could pass her. When Diva asked why she hadn't submitted any assignments, the student said: "I was taking care of my baby."
The student was only 13 or 14 years old.
Diva initially thought the student might be making up a story for sympathy. But then she noticed the stretch marks and heard from other teachers that the student actually had a 6-month-old baby.
The Heartbreaking Update
Diva told the student she could pass if she submitted all assignments before the semester wrapped up. The student didn't submit anything.
By the time the school year ended, this 9th grader was 8 months pregnant again.
Diva slowly realized this was very common in high schools there.
💔 Student Deaths and Drug Culture
Marijuana: Legal and Everywhere
Marijuana use is legal in California, and Diva could smell it regularly:
- On students coming into the classroom
- In students' bathrooms
- Students would use it and then walk into class
Drug Awareness Conference: A Shocking Revelation
Students Knew Every Drug
At a drug awareness conference, presenters showed pictures of various drugs - mushrooms, weed, and many other varieties. Diva was seeing many of these drugs for the first time.
But the students could identify every single drug before it was even introduced. Everyone was aware of each and everything being shown.
Two Student Deaths
During her five years at the first school, Diva witnessed two student deaths:
- One: Related to LGBTQ issues and the encouragement happening in school
- One: Due to drug exchange happening on a street in San Jose - this was her own student
"It was very heartbreaking," Diva recalls.
Contraceptives for Middle Schoolers
San Francisco Unified Policy
During her tenure, Diva learned that San Francisco Unified School District made it legal to have contraceptives available in the nurse's room - and students could just walk in and ask for them.
This was for middle school students - 13-14 year olds.
"With the mindset and culture that we come from, I have a teenage daughter right now and I'm so glad she's not in that kind of environment where it's totally fine to just walk into the nurse's room and ask for it openly."
🏫 The "Highly Ranked" School Reality
In 2017, Diva and her family bought a house in East Bay and she found a job at a middle school ranked 13th out of approximately 2,500 middle schools in California. She was super excited.
Why She Was Excited
- School was only one mile from her home
- Demography was 90%+ Asian students
- Her daughter would eventually attend schools in this district
- Elementary schools were also highly ranked
- She had a newborn at home - proximity was important
The Stark Contrast
At her previous school, 20 out of 22 math teachers were Asian. At this highly-ranked school, there was not a single Asian teacher. One Indian teacher later joined the science department, but that was it.
But what she discovered about the teaching and administration would shock her.
📉 Curriculum Being Dumbed Down
At this highly-ranked school, Diva started noticing serious problems with the curriculum and worksheets.
Mathematical Errors in Worksheets
The Department Lead's Response
Diva found multiple mathematical mistakes in the worksheets given to her by the department lead. She would respond to emails pointing out calculation mistakes and wrong questions.
She never got any response.
When she asked about it in a meeting, the department lead's response was:
"So what did you want? A pat on your back for that?"
The curriculum wasn't even at par with Common Core state standards.
No Textbooks, No Accountability
The Power Teachers Have
Unlike India where CBSE requires following a certain textbook and finishing the entire curriculum:
- No prescribed textbooks - teachers use free curriculum available online
- Teachers create worksheets every day
- Nobody checks if teachers complete the curriculum
- A teacher could do 1 chapter or 10 chapters - nobody cares
- No teacher goes to the principal saying "I'll only do two chapters" - but that's effectively what happens
Students Finishing in 5 Minutes
The worksheets were so easy that most students would complete them in 5 minutes and then sit idle.
Statewide Dumbing Down
The Algebra Problem
This wasn't just one school's problem - it was statewide, maybe nationwide:
- 20 years ago: Algebra 1 was mandatory in 8th grade
- Now: They're trying to move Algebra 1 to high school
- They're trying to remove Algebra 1 from 8th grade entirely
- These things are done in middle school in India without students feeling overchallenged
👩🏫 Underqualified Teachers Teaching Math
Diva was a math major, qualified to teach up to 12th grade math. What she discovered about her colleagues was alarming.
The Department Lead's Background
No Math Education
The department lead - the person giving Diva worksheets with mathematical errors - never had any math education or math major up to her high school level.
She openly said one day: "I did my Algebra 2 in my college - that too just because I had to do it" for some other course she was taking.
How Teachers Get Credentials
Declining Standards
There's huge demand for math and science teachers, so credential standards are going lower every year. It's difficult to hire teachers from outside, and with tech already flooded with Asian people, they want to get teachers locally.
Result: They're hiring teachers who are underqualified and cannot teach higher-level math at all.
The Preschool Teacher Story
Another teacher in the department used to teach preschool students. She caught the eye of the school's principal, who said: "I'll help you get the math credential. We can apply, and you can work on it over 5 years while doing the job."
That's how teachers are getting math credentials.
📝 Placement Test Manipulation
Diva realized teachers were intentionally failing students on placement tests because they couldn't teach higher-level math.
How Placement Tests Work
Students take placement tests every year where:
- A 6th grader could qualify for 7th grade math in 6th grade class
- A 6th grader could even qualify for 8th grade math
- Results determine which level of math students take
Diva's Intervention
Encouraging Students to Challenge Results
Before leaving the school, Diva talked to all six sets of students (six different periods) and told them:
"You know best what kind of exam you did. If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to go and ask why you got this score. Why are you getting so low when you were doing so well in the classroom? You have A+ all the time. Then why are you failing this placement test?"
The Shocking Discovery
One Student's Story
After the placement test, Diva went over the entire test the next day in class. Kids were super happy - "I did this right, I did that right, everything is right, I'm going to be placed in Algebra 1 next year!"
Then the results came out. They failed.
One student, encouraged by Diva, went to the vice principal with his mom. He asked to see his paper.
When they pulled it out, every single question was right.
But in the manually-graded section, he got zero. The same department lead had graded it.
The vice principal apologized and changed his placement to Algebra 1.
Why This Goes Unchallenged
The System Protects Itself
- Schools don't return papers to students
- They don't write anything on the question paper
- Grades are updated 4-5 weeks later - by then students have lost motivation and moved on
- They don't share details so students can't contradict or ask questions
- They don't want to get into trouble, but they don't want students to feel like they're acing it either
🎯 Racism Against Asian Students and Teachers
The contrast between Diva's two schools was stark - and revealing.
The Two Schools
Demographic Contrast
| Aspect | South Bay High School | East Bay Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Teachers | 20 out of 22 math teachers | Not a single Asian teacher |
| Student Population | Mixed | 90%+ Asian students |
| Ranking | 8th | 13th out of ~2500 |
What Diva Experienced
Demeaning Comments
- Comments about Asian parents wanting their kids to "just run after maths and not do anything else"
- Comments about houses looking like "matchboxes" - referring to newly built expensive homes in millions
- "Tesla is made only for Indians and Asians" - while Diva herself drove a Tesla to school
- Racist comments to high-performing Asian students - comments she "cannot even mention"
The irony: These parents were very involved, contributing financially to the school district because they were in highly-paid tech jobs. And the teachers were talking rubbish about them.
The Mental Health Toll
Depression and Therapy
All of this took a toll on Diva's mental health. She wasn't able to help the students she knew were being held back, and she felt terrible for them.
She had to seek therapy for depression.
Note: Her husband, who worked in tech, didn't experience this level of racism because most of his colleagues were Asian.
💪 The Unchecked Power of Teachers
Diva discovered that teachers have enormous power with very little accountability.
Tenure Protection
The Two-Year Rule
Once you complete two years, you become a tenure teacher. They cannot fire you. They cannot let you go.
When Diva completed her two years and started pushing back against the system, they couldn't fire her. Instead, they pressured her to move to another school 4-5 miles away.
Tutoring Fund Misuse
Where the Money Goes
Funds were allocated for tutoring students who weren't doing well in math - small classes for extra help.
What actually happened: Teachers arranged tutoring sessions on days when no students would come. During those hours, they sat solving their home issues, rent issues, and talking to their adult kids.
"They were being paid another $5,000 a month just to tutor these kids, and this is what they were doing."
📢 Becoming a Whistleblower
Diva became a whistleblower, and it came with consequences.
New York Times Interview
Recognition and Fear
Diva was interviewed by the New York Times about the issues in the education system. When the interview was published, one of the board members wanted to congratulate her.
But she didn't have the courage to send an email. Instead, she sent a small card to Diva's classroom - just to appreciate her efforts without coming into anyone's eyes.
"So many people are just scared of what's going on and don't want to intervene - just going with the flow."
The Bigger Picture
Not Just One School
Because of conferences, Diva interacted with many other teachers. The problems were very similar everywhere.
"We are just trying to kind of dumb down the entire system in math and science education. And Asians and Indians are the ones who are suffering because of it."
Why Immigrants Don't Speak Up
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most shocking thing Diva discovered on her first day?
On her first day at a high school in South Bay (ranked 8th), Diva saw a daycare on the school map and got excited thinking she could bring her daughter (daycares cost $2,000-$3,000/month). When she asked HR, she was told: "This daycare is not for teachers' kids. It's for students' kids so that they can drop their kids there and come to study and complete their high school diploma."
What concerning issues did Diva witness with teenage students?
Diva witnessed: 1) A 13-14 year old student who was pregnant, caring for her baby, and was 8 months pregnant again by end of school year, 2) Legal marijuana use - could smell it on students and in bathrooms, 3) Two student deaths during her tenure - one LGBTQ-related, one drug-related, 4) San Francisco Unified made contraceptives available in nurse's room for middle schoolers, 5) At a drug awareness conference, students could identify every drug before it was introduced.
What problems did Diva find with math curriculum at the highly-ranked school?
At a school ranked 13th out of ~2500 in California, Diva found: worksheets with multiple mathematical errors from the department lead, curriculum not meeting Common Core standards, no prescribed textbooks, teachers creating worksheets daily with enormous unchecked power, and teachers intentionally failing students on placement tests because they couldn't teach higher-level math.
What racism did Diva experience as an Asian teacher?
At the East Bay school (90%+ Asian students), there was not a single Asian teacher. She experienced: demeaning comments about Asian parents, comments about houses looking like "matchboxes," "Tesla is made only for Indians and Asians" while she drove a Tesla, and racist comments to high-performing students. She had to go to therapy for depression.
How much power do teachers have over curriculum and grades?
Teachers have enormous unchecked power: no prescribed textbooks, no one checks if curriculum is completed, placement test results can be manipulated, papers aren't returned to students, grades are updated weeks later so students can't challenge, and tutoring funds are misused. With union power, teachers ensure "everything goes in their pocket."
What happened when a student challenged his placement test results?
After Diva encouraged students to check results, one student went to the vice principal with his mom. When they pulled out his paper, every single question was right - but in the manually-graded section, he got zero. The same department lead had graded it. The vice principal apologized and changed his placement to Algebra 1. This manipulation had been going on for years.
Why are credential standards for math teachers declining?
There's huge demand for math and science teachers, so credential standards are going lower every year. One teacher got her math credential through the principal's help over 5 years while previously teaching preschool. When teachers don't know math themselves, they don't encourage students to do advanced levels - instead, they fail deserving students on placement tests.
What is happening to math standards in US schools?
Standards are being "dumbed down" statewide: 20 years ago, Algebra 1 was mandatory in 8th grade - now they're trying to move it to high school. Worksheets are so easy that students finish in 5 minutes. Teachers resist raising standards because they can't teach higher-level content. The problem is statewide, maybe nationwide.
Related Resources for NRI Parents
If you're considering education options for your children, these resources may help:
- IB vs IGCSE vs CBSE: Which Curriculum is Best for NRI Kids? - Expert comparison of Indian school curriculums
- Moving Back to India with a Middle Schooler - Diva's full story about returning to India
- Why He Left UK for India Education - Another family's school selection journey
For official education statistics and information:
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