That’s a serious problem, and I don’t know what to do either. I suspect that some level of “public school” is unavoidable, but anyone who possibly can would try to seek an alternative. One problem today is that the government actively works to make the alternatives difficult so that most people just default back on public schooling. I’d think to see that reversed.
Vouchers.
The parents who care will get their kids to good schools.
Schools would compete for the kids whose parents care, increasing quality and efficiency and service.
The kids whose parents don’t care would still be in the “public” school, but, I’m sorry to say, they were probably “doomed” to low academic performance anyway, due to their parents.
Because this would work, the left opposes vouchers whenever they are brought up.