Very simply, schools reflect society. If society is healthy, our schools will reflect that and children will learn. Currently, society is ailing. Schools cannot fix what is wrong with society and more importantly, should not be allowed to try, for their ideas (NEA, etc.) are part of the problem - not the solution.
This is true. It's no coincidence that the decline of our educational standards began in the 60's! But I also think the increasing NEA involvement since then has been a big contributing factor.