This is exactly right. If you can't read well, and comprehend what you are reading, you really can't do well in any other subject. Also, if the middle-school or high schooler is not doing well in math, it is because they never truly learned the basics.
Trying to fix it in high school is too late. The problems we are seeing, are problems at the elementary school level. Yet, so few people seem to understand this.
. . . if not at the cultural level even before that.I am in favor of vouchers or anything like that which puts the "inner city" parents in control of their children's education. Some of them, undoubtedly, will drop the ball - but then, the ball is systematically dropped now as it is. IMHO the only ones for whom the ball is not now dropped are ones whose parents take responsibility for seeing that their children respect learning, and study.
To me, putting the parent in charge takes away the excuses. And if you know no one will buy excuses, you just might get on the ball and look after business. And Affirmative Action is all about excuses. Let parents who as children had no use for school, go back into that school with something in their pocket that that school really wants - their children, and the $$$ for their children's education that comes with them. Then watch the percentage of parents who attend parent-teacher conferences skyrocket. IMHO.