[DustyMoment]

Looks like a race to the bottom, what with so many kids trying to act ghetto-maxed. One way to prove your street cred is to be dumb on tests. That'll show the Man.

I know you are being sarcastic but we both know, sadly, that too many kids actually buy that nonsense!!

[BelegStrongbow]

Actually, I wasn't being entirely sarcastic. I see a lot of kids buying into the ghetto mentality, not realizing what else it involves. Only sometimes are they aware and decide they don't care. Far to the contrary, kids would care a lot more if they really knew what was coming, given their choices.

It's when the teachers are casually sensible and who show just as a matter of how they walk around that sane and intelligent is cooler than dumbed-down that this culture can't get a foothold, even among those to whom it is most directly targeted.