The ONLY solution to the schooling problem is to removing it COMPLETELY from government. Anything short of that will never work. Education is a service and anyone who thinks government bureaucrats and create an adequate system is delusional. Yes, there are a few cases where public schools "work" but in time the government leaders will make sure they are dumbed down too. The solution is simple, the political will to accomplish it is....
If the will isn't there to abolish the Department of Education, the next best thing would be to move it to the Department of Defense. Schools that accepted federal funds and didn't perform would then have their staff fired and be taken over by marines. ;-)