what is the most important change that k-12 education needs?

I have come up with more than one idea as to what I believe is the most important change needed in k-12. The first thing is the home/school connection. I believe that if there is a bigger and more evenly understood connection between home and school then our students will have more encouragement to continue their learning at home. Although many factors will get in the way. There is no way to guarantee that all home lives are similar, which is why I think that if there is more involvement from the school reaching out to understand each individual home life then children will feel more encouragement to succeed. There are at risk families who may need more help than others.

Another idea I have is to change the way we educate our teachers in an ongoing fashion. Allow teachers to have more trainings and mentoring available to them. I have seen examples of this at my sons school, where I recently did an interview with his teacher and was given some insight to what these teachers have available to them on a daily basis. I think that is part of the reason that his school is so valued by the community.I have witnessed student teachers, para educators, and in class advocates for those in need at his school. This seems to work to bridge the gap between home and school as well as provide teachers with a round table like place to bounce ideas off of one another.
There should be more teachers, or para educators, or "experienced" volunteers being the thresh hold between home and school.