That's good news for parents. I think it's sad that public schools can't be good in all areas. We have the same sort of problems here in California. I don't think the system is well designed to really teach students. The administration's focus is on getting them to pass a standardized end-of-year exam.

I've been volunteering at the school down the street. I don't see their whole school day, but I am amazed at how rushed their time is when I am there. There are 30 of them to one teacher, so individual help is sparse. Fortunately there are a lot of "better students" who love tutoring their fellows. I love helping them out, too. Wish I had unlimited time to help more.