What is needed is to get government out of the education business altogether.
I once had Milton Friedman as a "substitute" professor. We were all amazed when he walked in.
A good Friedman book to read, for those who aren't very familiar with his work, is Capitalism & Freedom.
<< "What is needed in America is a voucher of substantial size available to all students, and free of excessive regulation." -- Milton Friedman >>
"Or, better yet, get the damned government the Hell out of what it dares to call 'education!'" -- Brian Allen
That's what I loved most about him. His championing of school vouchers saved many American kids, It will continue to do so in the future.