RIP

Which is likely why it became 1-800-CALL-ATT. And Carrottop even spelled it out multiple times during the commercials so if you didn't have the capacity to spell those words they forced it into your long term memory through repetition...

I agree with your points mostly...

Actually, starting salaries for teachers are relatively good. Which is why (IMHO) a lot of liberal arts majors and other such degrees that don't lead directly to high paying jobs tend to be drawn to teaching. The salary problem is actually in the years following, as there's no incentive for a good teacher to stay put. Here is the salary schedule for my local school district. It takes over 10 years to earn 10% more than your starting salary.

You can thank the union for that. There are no merit increases (only longevity) and, short of molesting some kids, it's almost impossible to get fired. Again, it's all about incentive. The only (financial) incentive for teachers is to be around for another year, not to teach well or make efforts to become a better teacher.

I think if the first 2 points are enacted, this one would simply follow... But I do have to say that this is one of the few things that the "No Child Left Behind Act" got right. It requires teachers to be "highly qualified", which means that a teacher actually has to demonstrate competence and that they had formal education in the subject they are to teach.