Here is some food for thought: one hundred years ago we were teaching Latin and Greek philosophy in high school. Today we are teaching remedial reading and math in college.
But in those days it was not assumed that everyone needs to go to college. And the mantra “No Child Left Behind”” would be viewed as blithering nonsense instead of semi-religious education dogma. Some children do get left behind its a simple fact of human existence, some get left because they choose to, others do because they can only go so far, some because they can’t even start. No amount of money, time, hand wringing will change that !
The best first step is close the Colleges of Education so education methodology voodoo is stopped at the source. Yes it will trickle out through other forums like “Fill-in-the-Blank” Studies programs, but close the main source of the poison first. Require teachers to have actual degrees, even the elementary teachers. Make teaching qualification an apprenticeship, say a year of observed\monitored vetting. Then five years of experience before a license is granted.
Next step is restore discipline, of course this will cause a firestorm of “race card” playing.