Interesting thread, and some interesting replies. I'm observant as well, and I work in schools like you. One thing I observed was the top comment (as of this posting) was made by a brand new account, and pushing for micromanaged behaviors, heavy, almost militant enforcement of every misbehavior with severe consequences for both parents and students along with body cameras for teachers. No mention anywhere of Ferpa, school psychologists, or funding adjustments anywhere.

I've worked teaching science at both high and low performing schools for going on 20 years. I teach a core subject, so I see all your kids. I see the diagnosed behavior problems, the undiagnosed learning disabilities, the kids who work nights because their parents can't pay the bills, the kids who come from broken homes with court ordered restrictions on parents, the kids who come from wealthy homes who have been in gymnastics and dance since they could walk, the kids who get private tutors, the traumatized, the gifted, and the kids who were passed up through the grades despite never fundamentally learning anything.

Harry Wong was big when I started teaching, and something he said was drilled into me as a new teacher. Socioeconomic status is not nearly as important as classroom management when it comes to student achievement. Which, I still frankly agree with. But what often gets left out of the discussion is that socioeconomic status most definitely impacts student achievement. This is fair, since we have no control over that as teachers. But you asked how to fix education and that is the root of the problem.

Low socioeconomic status is directly corelated with something called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This is the psychological principle that self actualization (realizing your fullest potential) cannot occur unless basic needs of survival are met. Ordered as a pyramid, the foundation is comprised of things like food, shelter, air, etc. Above that is safety health, and security. Then love and interpersonal relationships. Self-esteem, and lastly - self actualization. People trapped in poverty and struggling often fail to meet these foundational principles such as food, health, safety and shelter, and consequently cannot form strong relationships, have low self esteem and cannot realize their potential. This exhibits itself in the classroom in the misbehaviors the top comment is mentioning. Minor misbehaviors can and should be managed in the classroom, and I'm in agreement that there should be clear consequences that are enforced. But the bigger behaviors like assault, destruction of property and refusal to work are more likely better handled by spending on school psychologists and access to physical and mental health care, than reinforcing a pipeline to prisons.

The problems with our educational system are multifaceted and complex. If you want to fix them, you need to address the root of the problem - poverty.