I think that might not be approaching it form the best angle? Perhaps the best question is: how to motivate students to excel academically, and give them opport

I think that might not be approaching it form the best angle? Perhaps the best question is: how to motivate students to excel academically, and give them opportunity to study to match their motivation? (instead of having poorly performing students be punished) If you look at it that way, I think the solutions are much more akin to better motivating students, creating better environments (if they don't have them at home). Motivation is both from showing better job opportunities to be had (higher salaries, employability), the practical value of intellectual and scientific education (to daily life decisions, participating well in democracy -- which cannot work without well educated citizens), and finally an intrinsic value of education -- showing how beautiful intellectual fields are, from a fun approach to mathematics education, to literature, etc. Environments is making sure the school and classmate interactions are positive, possibly making available study spaces outside regular class time, elective extracurricular activities (programming classes, etc), etc. Both of those probably go through investing heavily in teacher salaries and adequate teacher education. It's a societal commitment, really.