What's Wrong with Our Schools?

American schools could become everything that all parents want for their children: enlightened places that reliably challenge students to become their best selves and thus eventually to develop into productive citizens. Unfortunately, this is not the reality that now exists. We — citizens, parents, educators, and students — know that the actual state of things is otherwise; far too many schools range from the mediocre to the sordid. Why aren't things better? Because we don't care? Because we don't know better, or even realize what is wrong? Because our priorities are out of order? Because we lack leaders with vision and the courage to lead us where we would all want to go if only someone would show the way?