There are other alternatives. 20 students per teacher, along with an teacher's aide/intern for starters. And I had a very different type of schooling, even tho

There are other alternatives. 20 students per teacher, along with an teacher's aide/intern for starters. And I had a very different type of schooling, even though it was public. And in a 1970s working class/middle class town. From 1-5th grade, we were taught a subject together, then separately in turn according to our ability and level. While not being actively taught we worked on packets that we worked through at our own pace. This allowed some students to advance years ahead in English or math, as well as preventing teachers from passing kids who do not comprehend the material, while still being taught in the same classroom. I'm surprised this method is not used more often. Perhaps it failed on the whole. It seemed to work well for me. Although the lower amount of single income two parent households is definitely an issue, as are the modern extended over 40 hour workweek for parents. And the lack of independence imparted from walking to elementary school, which was common then.