The problem is we do treat education that way! All that Billy's parents need to do is take him to a doctor or psychologist and get an IEP (Individualized Education Program). Waaay back when I was a teacher, before leaving for a rewarding career, I taught high school science, and about 50% of my students had IEPs. When you have a student with an IEP you have to list each of the accommodations you make in your lesson plans, and you must accommodate them. IEPs are binding legal documents. For me that would turn a ten page lesson plan for one week into about 50 pages (multiplied by the 4 classes I taught). Here are some items I remember from the IEPs I had (remember these were students in grades 10-12):

• Student cannot preform higher math problems. Please exclude higher math problems from their curriculum (fun when you're teaching chemistry and physics).

• Student cannot be tested for reading comprehension (very common).

• Student cannot have poor grammar corrected.

• If student curses or screams during a class please call for an aid via intercom so they can take him to a quiet room to calm down.

• Student must have access to his chew toy.

• Test questions must be read to student. (This is a common one.)

• Due to medication side effects, student must be allowed to sleep in class. (Yes. Really.)

• Student must be allowed to walk around the classroom.

• Student must have unrestricted access to the restroom.

Basically, if a student has any sort of problem, it can be wiped away with an IEP. Little Timmy can't sit still and listen? He has ADHD! Does Timmy have a problem with authority? He has ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). Also, according to the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the foundation of the entire diagnosis system) "above-average creativity" is now classified as a mental illness.

Edit: From my perspective now working for a company in the real world and dealing with applicants. IEPs don't follow these kids into the real world. When I see an application that looks like it was filled out by an elementary student, it goes straight to the shredder. I don't give a crap if Billy can't be tested on reading comprehension. If he can't read and comprehend simple instructions, he could hurt himself or others. Also, if Billy can't be tested on math skills, do I really want him running a cash register? Am I supposed to take Billy back to my office when he cusses and screams at a customer of fellow employee? Poor Billy. I hope he likes living in his parent's basement, or on welfare ... or being homeless.