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But what about the students? Don't you see the same thing? Are all students excited and ready to learn? Or are many there because they have to be and are just marking time, considering their school time akin to prison time?

Are you a teacher yourself? Just asking because you come back with thought-provoking questions, as a good teacher used to in the ol' days ;)

Yes, the students are apathetic as well. Probably stemming from the natural desire to NOT be in school as well as them absorbing the attitude of the teachers and other staff. With expectations dumbed down so much, even the brighter students are less motivated. Or perhaps, especially the brighter students.

I've taught in military and corporate environments. I was Teacher of the Year in 1996 at the company I worked for.

Probably stemming from the natural desire to NOT be in school as well as them absorbing the attitude of the teachers and other staff.

Good. Let's connect that to bureaucracy and bureacratic thought and procedures.

And here's a talking point. Compare what Microsoft was like in its early days versus what it's like now that it's a huge corporation.

...stemming from the natural desire to NOT be in school as well as them absorbing the attitude of the teachers and other staff.

Even back in '73 I had that attitude about school. A sea of mediocrity, it dared not challenge and woe be upon anyone who dared challenge the status quo (I have learned tenure has a way of doing that to a system). That was my impression of it then, and I bugged out at 15 to come back and take the certification exams at a later time, after learning the skills needed to support myself through other means.

Indifference is projected by leadership and reflected back to it, be it at home, work, or school - and it becomes the norm. Instinct, I believe, is to do no more than is necessary to survive, but that is not enough to maintain our complex societies. So other behaviors must be learned, and it is the personal responsibility of each individual to rise above regardless of the barriers placed before them, and keep trying no matter how many times they fail.