It’s likely due to the students being unable to read the story problems (shakes head).
so is it because the students are too stupid from having not been taught in the earlier grades or can’t they find enough teachers who can teach it?
i still remember my abstract algebra teacher in 11th grade. he would sit with us after class to help. i got a B and was damn proud of it. failed the first 3 semesters of plane geometry and algebra in 9th grade even with the helop of teachers and my dad. one day it clicked. aced 4th semester, aced the final, never got anything less than a B in all future math courses. trig was a snap and i still use it.