Least-worst Decision

Joanne has a post about a school district that is using "virtual teachers" via video conference, with the classroom supervised by an "educational assistant", because the district cannot recruit and retain enough teachers to fill their classrooms.  Long-term substitutes fill in but often aren't much more than babysitters.  I'm a big fan of remote teaching under certain circumstances, but this seems like a band-aid for a gaping chest wound. 

Here's the crux of the matter:  "Who’s likely to be more effective: An American sub, who may not know the subject, or a Filipino teacher, who knows the subject not American culture, or a qualified American who’s not actually there?"

Joanne goes on to point out how states are lowering standards in order to qualify more teachers.  Because that's what kids deserve, lower quality teachers, right?