For those that think No child left behind is stupid - consider this - 80% of the prison population can't read at 8th grade level. So if you teach kids to read they are less likely to go to jail.
Texas academic rates are also pulled down by 10-20% of students having at least one illegal immigrant parent and at least 5% being illegally here themselves. Add in parents who came here to work sending kids to work as soon as able, pulling down graduation rates. The immigration issue is what is killing the education statistics.
And paying for bilingual education and free goodies (free school supplies, food handouts after school, free meals at school) drive up the total education line item.