The single most important measure to be taken would be the closure of public schools and the elimination of all compulsory education laws. We should simply stop kidding ourselves that "government" is the solution to every problem we face.
I agree, but doubt it will ever be regarded as feasible. The options aren't there for too many people. Cheap private or parochial schools? They're not waiting to catch all the children unloosed from public schools. Many would never be accepted by any institution. It could be done gradually but it would need organization, vision, and determination by a large percentage of the people.
One alternative I've often thought about is outsourced homeschooling. The state laws generally require homeschooling (schooling by uncertified teachers) to be delivered by parents in the home -- with some latitude in some states. But if education, particularly in the lower grades, could be delivered via the free market, by competent private tutors, that might offer positive results. No maybe about it, actually, when in a certain metropolis we hear that zero public school children are where they should be in math and reading.
After all, baby sitters, even 8-hr daily sitters, aren't board certified and their wages aren't government set. Get some accrediting body (not necessarily governmental) to oversee and advise, with regard to the tutor's ability and the results.
Alternatives on a massive scale would need to be in place before ditching public ed, even gradually. As bad as it is, even intelligent people foolishly send their kids to the free indoctrination centers...and then compound the folly by paying through the nose for an additional four years.
Successful relationships between men and women is not a solution, it is more like the canary in a coal mine. When the canary dies, everyone else won’t be far behind.
And while I DO blame the educational system for a lot of this situation, I don’t think we can forget the media, liberal courts, and agenda driven Governmental idiots.
Fixing the school system is a good start, but I am afraid more is required.