I went 3 different high schools in several states as a child. Some schools had lots of money (ie gifted programs) and others were quite literally at risk of los

I went 3 different high schools in several states as a child. Some schools had lots of money (ie gifted programs) and others were quite literally at risk of losing state funding due to low standardized test scores. I was the first person in my family tree to graduate college and only person to ever have a PhD. The teachers at the well-funded, near-apex "Magnet" school in North Carolina were generally better and had more time with students... especially in Science/Math. Teachers had more adult expectations of kids, but most importantly they were _consistent_ with their expectations and cadence of material presented. Teachers at the under-funded, near-loss of state funding school in Tennessee were kind, "normal" people who happened to go to college at some point in the past. Primary detractors from the classroom were that student's low-expectations often led to large portions of uncontrolled "worksheet" tasks. Work was not graded well, inspected well or feedback given in a timely manner. I personally graded all the science teacher's Junior level homework as a Senior. She often didn't appear to understand the subject and was doing her best to not let the bottom students fall through the cracks. Elimination of gifted programs, in my opinion, is the best option. The best students will learn what they need to, their parents will make sure of it, and the best teachers need to work with the worst students at this age group.