Also in the US the incentives for going into teaching are totally wrong. We should train the best and brightest so that our kids learn from them, but the salaries and working conditions are so bad that it actively discourages people.
Both teachers and students should be tracked by ability. Best teachers for the best students. Mid teachers for mid students.
Were teachers better in previous generations? I remember the majority of mine being excellent. Might it be more unattractive now than 30 - 40 years ago?
Inflation-adjusted average teachers salaries have fallen over the past decade, and starting salaries are at the lowest levels measured: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/average-teac...
A lot of teachers in the US now work two jobs to make ends meet, which is a recipe for disaster.
Have inflation-adjusted salaries for other industries? They're not great either. Look at average attorney starting salaries.
The students struggling the most may require the best teacher (and useful administration).
Send the best and brightest to thow themselves against the dull and dim because the best students will be fine with no teacher.
The best and brightest should be challenged and pushed to excel at academicly rigorous programs. The dim and dull should managed through a course of study that has more achievable standards.