Consider it an anecdote, but my direct experience is exactly what you have heard.  Consider that the ratio of administrators to classroom teachers is rarely lower than half the union-specified maximal classroom ratio (e.g., &lt;1:10 administrators to teachers versus &gt;=1:30 students to teachers).<p>Administration is a big issue but is still probably not the origin of the problem.  For that, look to No Child Left Behind and the abject pursuit of test scores.