In this country, ever since I can remember, our educational system has been in crisis. If you look at almost every school that is large and does poorly on standardized tests, they very often are located in large urban areas with a low socioeconomic status. If you look at the families in these areas, the majority are broken with mom at the head and working... or worse.

So of course it is the school's fault and the teachers, administrators... down the line. Now ask yourself, these people in the public schools, why are they teaching? Its not the pay in most cases. Where do some of the most experienced, best teachers go? To schools that have a strong desire to be successful. Where are a majority of these schools located? IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PARENTS THAT CARE ABOUT EDUCATION.
There are always exceptions, but these are not magical observations. Now occasionally you will get some outstanding inner city staff come in and do a wonderful job. But when you take a close look at the kids and parents you find the "clients" are people care about the education of their children. Bad teachers and poor scores are not accepted.

The teacher in East LA, Stand and Deliver??? that taught all his kids Calculus on Saturdays and did an amazing job. How long did he last in that situation? Does anyone remember that movie? Does anyone remember the little side theme about his wife never seeing her husband, and his children feeling jealous of the kids he brought to his house to teach on weekends.
Jaime does not teach there anymore... I think he may have lasted 2 maybe 3 years.

The horrible battle zone schools often "attract" the worst teachers by default, or worse, the young inexperienced "I will save these children" teachers that are gone after two years never to step in a classroom again.

I dont know what it takes to wake people up to these obvious signs. Oh yes I do, everyone went to school, so obviously everyone knows how to teach, and everyone is an expert on our system because of course they were in our educational system.

I just feel sorry for the kids who are born into "families" that never experienced any success through learning.