Firstly, I must thank you for taking the time to read the post and offering your view on this fraught subject.

Suffice it to say that the American educational system is in dire need of a major reform, to incorporate facets of what you have alluded to in your 6th and 9th paragraphs.

Judging by strong reaction to this article from lots of people, It is clear that the marketization of education is the biggest problem and the major barrier to true reform.