I have quite a few thoughts about how public schools might improve... Nonetheless, there is something about arguing with people who have already made up their minds and place blame entirely on the public school system for poor student performance - well, it brings out the contrarian in me. Kids have been doing and are doing poorly in places where families and communities are functioning poorly. And public schools are being asked to be parents, social workers and teachers - They are shackeled with mandated layers of bureaucracy then vilified and described as "inefficient" when they fail to do it all.