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lots of reasons - but when I taught in detroit two decades ago, about 1/3 of freshman in high school made it through 12th grade and something crazy like 1/2 to 1/3 of those didn't pass the state test, so they didn't get a diploma, but a certificate of completion.
Even back then, parents that could tried to send kids to private schools.
Detroit is more a harbinger - what happens when the primary economy is tied to one industry that declines, after decades of decline. Many cities look at Detroit as an anomoly. I would say that after a decade of nearly flat economic growth (one decade) it is a canary in the coalmine for many other cities - if we continue to have flat or negative economic growth.
My point isn't pro/anti Bobb - it is that focusing on Bobb misses the real issue that threatens many american cities.
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