To add to what the problem is not: the dedication of teachers, like others have said. I've known teachers from all kinds of public schools. Almost to the last,

To add to what the problem is not: the dedication of teachers, like others have said. I've known teachers from all kinds of public schools. Almost to the last, they are not just interested in but desperate for their students to succeed. (Often resulting in grade inflation and ill-advised passing.) Also, most parents would really rather their kid succeed. It's easier for them that way. What does it leave? The kids. They resist education because it's hard and involves work; that's only natural. Some more than others, though, and having TV and games competing with school these days makes that number a lot higher than the only other option was rolling a hoop with a stick. Unsuccessful students drag their whole class back with them, because again, the teacher wants them to succeed. So it looks like when you have a critical mass of failing students - 20% maybe? - you descend below the event horizon and the whole school becomes irredeemable.