[edgesrazor]

It's already common knowledge that not every child learns the same way - it's a product of both genetics and environment. My wife teaches in a district that has a good mix of middle-class and disadvantaged students. When summer is over, the teachers see huge discrepancies between the kids whose parents worked with them over the summer and the ones who didn't - and the economic class isn't what's dictating that discrepancy. It's unfortunate that some parents can't accept the responsibility of continuing their child's education outside of school, but if that's the case, maybe the best bet is to let the districts - not the state or federal governments dictate the curriculum and schedule.

This would put more responsibility on school boards, superintendents and administration. Underperforming administrators no longer can just sit back and play with politics and cronyism - they will have to accept the responsibility of creating and maintaining an environment that most reflects the community demographics, or they're gone. Blaming the teachers has to stop - it's the same thing that's happening with law enforcement - "We're going to pass more laws that make your job tougher and more involved, but you're going to have to do it with less money and support. Good luck."