I was speaking of many California schools, don't know where you went to school. You're right, though, many students just aren't interested in learning. Too many distractions, I guess, and lack of interest by parents in what their kids are learning (or not learning).
I went to the largest high school in Florida: 6000+ students on two sites. The NEA and other groups likely have higher influences in California, but I don't think they've permeated the curriculum to the extent that it's become as bad as most FReepers seem to think it is.