Given the sustained and proud intransigence from the GOP, I'd be open to Biden doing pretty much whatever it takes. 

Getting back to your desire to teach 4th graders how to drive, I have a few general thoughts about early education. Given that we really don't know what the job market will look like in the coming years, and it may look profoundly different, I think the focus should be on learning how to learn. Sone of the foundational skills are self-regulation, deferral of gratification, and organization. I do believe a stable home life with thoughtful parenting, where parenting is the priority, will go along way toward children developing those skills. And I've acknowledged here many times how so many kids are born behind the eight-ball: childhood trauma, low IQ (50 million Americans are under 85), dangerous and unstable homes and neighborhoods, governmental indifference, poverty, and frankly, the bad luck of having parents who really don't know how to parent. And in some places, there's an anti-education culture.  It's such a tall order, perhaps too tall! So many adults lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. I've been a union member for all 17 years of my teaching and I understand the criticisms directed at us, and perhaps we have too much power, perhaps we need more charter schools... and uniforms!  Kids need to see their parents reading, and they need to be read to. We're such a silly society what with celebrity worship, rampant consumerism, and far too much watching and far too little reading. In many ways, the Mormons have it right though I obviously have no use for their myths, supernatural belief system, and regressive social positions, but on the home front, they have the correct priorities. I endlessly tell my students to READ, READ, READ! It's so easy to spot the readers as they have the richest vocabulary and the most accomplished writing skills. They bring to class the broadest background knowledge, are the deepest thinkers and best conversationalists.  Once in a while, I even get a letter that makes it all seem worthwhile. I have a former student at Tufts and his mom has written me several times to share his progress and thank me for all of the instruction I provided in writing. I pushed that kid really hard, and he was up to the challenge, but many aren't. 

I could prattle on but I won't. But I'll end with this. Unless you are in the education profession, or connected to someone who is, you just don't know what is going on in schools. And I'm not directing that to you heathcliffe, you are a true mensch and your wisdom is much appreciated, sir! :) I just wish Americans understood the reality of contemporary education and what we're up against. What goes on in society makes its way into the classroom, enough said. 

Peter T.