Reply #19: I think it depends on the district.

[nonconformist]

I don't think there is just one main problem.

I think in chronically underperforming schools, like poor inner city schools, it's a combination of parents that don't care, students that weren't raised to care or expected to excel, and teachers and administrators that have given up and are just going through the motions.

Across the board, I think part of it is that some really smart kids end up hating school due to teaching for the tests and class progress dependent on the least capable students "getting it". It can be frustrating, boring, even a bit condescending to smart kids. I also think that gobs of homework every night, especially in the form of busy work, really hurts student morale. I think that good teachers that could normally inspire and groom those smart young minds have their hands tied by policy.