Teachers teach, that which they know and what they know is what they teach. It is not the students failing as much as it is the teachers failing to teach them properly.
Yes, but it’s not quite that simple. There are many different factors...and those can factors can vary from district to district.
Example: If a good teacher is not adequately supported by the school administration, it can become a barrier to good teaching. (There are some administrators who even frown on giving students the grades they deserve. There are others who are so cloistered in their offices, that they have no idea of what is taking place in the classrooms.)
It’s so funny it is sad. People twist themselves into pretzels trying to blame teachers, parents, and others for illiterate and innumerate students.
The fact remains, the average IQ of the inner city poor child is below 85. Add lack of motivation to the mix and you get a hopeless situation.