Speaking of bad public school and the myth that more money poured in ust guarantee better results, I'm reminded a senior teacher in history at my old high school (in New Zealand - it is a public school in name but run like a private school) remarked, after visiting one of the best public schools in the New York Tri-state area:
"The school was modern, the kid were rich, the resources fantastic, but we didn't see much work being done."
This is the crux of the problem for failing schools. If teachers refuse to teach, teach poorly, and students aren't properly taught, even if Bill Gates donates his entire wealth to a trust to fund all schools of the Washington DC area will not solve the problem.