Education is a fleeting fury (my opinion ONLY) Care to express?

I am compelled to challenge the many obstacles that seem to have introduced themselves into our lives.The many challenges that have evolved from minimal concerns to over-dramatic actions.
As a parent, I am educating myself on education. I question the American educational system. I doubt the teachers, as well as myself. Where do parents step in and teachers step off? For that matter, where do we, as parents, back-off, and allow our teachers to educate?
It is pretty comical, a friend of mine would complain about her child's homework, and I would say to myself, "Self, you are a parent, your duty is to provide as much of yourself necessary to your children and their homework." I still agree with myself, but seeing the level of homework brought home is not homework that is age appropriate.  Most of the daily homework is simply just a refresher from the day. The projects are much to involved for early elementary school years. My assumption to such activities is for the school to assure themselves that parents are involved, and do care. I care, and trust me, my husband cares. However, I feel that these in depth assignments are done by PARENTS! What concerns me, is that our children are graded on these projects. I can honestly tell you, that I was so excited to see........MY grade!!!! It is so funny, but in the same breath, it is disturbing. My children assist in these projects, but they are mostly done by myself or their Daddy. In addition to my helping, my wallet is opened and spent on the necessary arts and crafts needed to complete these tasks. I question the grading system, because I know that a teacher looks at these projects, and says to her or himself, "Self, this is not done by a 7-8 year old!" Nevertheless, I am inclined to believe that this is done purposely. Once more, to assure themselves that parents are involved & do care about their child's education.
In addition to the projects, I question the pace that schools move at. I am a Mommy, I went to college for Journalism, and Business. I did not study education, so I must give them the benefit of the doubt. However, as a parent, I feel that I know my child, as well as children of their age and in their grade. I believe that I know their capabilities, and their growth emotionally, physically, and socially. I am 99% certain that children, this young, need repetition. They need to go over something, they need to have it sink in. You simply cannot introduce something new one week, and revert back to the previous weeks. I do not understand this yo-yo effect.
Nevertheless, I believe that environment is key. Where my children sit their butts down Monday thru Friday for 7 hours must be a stimulating one, or they will truly get bored, lose focus, and not care. Another environment that I do not want, is one where the educator simply educates a certain percentage, while leaving the others to suffer. I fully believe that teachers tend to a small percentage of students. These students are the ones who excel, and need a greater challenge. Once again, I have researched these numbers, and read so much on our educational system. It truly scares me.
As a child, I never thought of school as a competitive place, and as a teenager in high school, I did not care. My parents were not the type who instilled studies. They did not attend college, therefore college to them was not necessary. It was not until I was 19, that I decided to enroll. I took up Journalism. I decided that I did not like writing on or about the media, the news, the realities. My first assignment was to write an obituary! How morbid! I think highly of any writer. Writers who do obituaries daily, are to be applauded. Writing about the descent of a loved person is so dark, deep, and yet a job that requires truth. After handing in my obituary on Henry Kissinger, I discovered that I was more of a creative mind. Sure I could have made a mans death colorful and poetic, but that is not a journalists job. I left, college to re-evaluate who I wanted to be.  I then began working full-time in a business (manufacturing) atmosphere. I soon discovered that I liked business. I liked an environment that was out to get their competitors and take them on full-force. These business men and women are fearless! While working as a receptionist for a good period of time, I learned a great deal about the business, from CAD room, to factory work, and all the way up to the president. It was so intriguing, that I soon decided that business was a better fit for me. I returned full-time to educate myself on Information Processing. I played it safe. After that certificate (it was for a certificate only) was achieved, I went as a full-time student studying under Business Technology and administration. Once I had sat my butt down in those weekly classes, I felt this whole new world present itself to me. A door had opened  I now realize that education is so important, and I will do all that I can to make my children understand the importance and value in education.
As young as they are? I often say, "Do not worry about marriage (because children do think of that) and getting older. FOCUS on your education, go to college, make something of your life, and then all other things will fall into place." Those words are the words that I speak truly, and feel so strongly about.
Until they can see the value and benefits in learning, they are KIDS. Kids in the early years of education need to experience a social environment. A trusting classmate, a good friend, as well as experience the negatives, and adapt to the many differences in their daily surroundings. They need to be well prepared for the higher levels of education. However, they need to be well prepared for the harsh realities that kids are competitive, they are mean, and they are not always who you think they are.  Friendships are so important at these levels. Friendships build social skills, and a bond that carries along with you through these years. If our children cannot experience a trusting relationship at these early years? Then they are not fully aware of school and all of its attributes. Full education is not just about math, reading, science, and history. Full education is also about building trust with equals. These "equals" are the  companions who are there to take the journey into the next grade or grades with our children. I, as a parent, worry about the education system. I am now educating myself on this system, as well as parental rights.
Every child needs friends. Friends are an important factor to education. They are your support system. You need them, they need you.
So, please, let kids be kids. Teach them. Please do not rush them. My opinion only.