I'm an old guy, but going back to my education in the 60s and 70s, then my son's 21st century education, the truth has always been that any kid can get a great public education in America if they, and their parents, take the responsibility for their education. If you leave it up to the state or the county, the kid is going to graduate stupid, no matter which state they live in.

Parents have to work with their child to make sure they are learning the proper stuff. If the school isn't doing it, then the parents have to do it. Families must be responsible for their own education, not the government.