Occasionally essays I write end up in local newspapers. I've got a sure-fire winner of one in my mind right now, but it's not one that I can hope to publish because of the controversy that would result. Here's the short, unrefined version. Public education, as a culture, provides too many crutches to underperforming students, which at the time might yield short-term results, but which over the long term reduce a child's ability to stand on his own.
It starts with the (admittedly beautiful) line of thinking that there are multiple kinds of intelligences, including visual/spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, musical, logical, and more. The seven intelligences are famously known as "Gardners Multiple Intelligences". More common is the philosophy that there are three modes of learning: visual, auditory, and tactile. I agree with the legitimacy of these ideas, and as educators we are taught to tailor our approach to each student's abilities and strengths.
At a more structural level we also have special education and English Language Learner programs. Both of these programs were never intended to be permanent to a student. The idea was to give students an intensive boost, and get them back into the mainstream. In reality, neither has ever worked in that manner, and worse, both programs are deeply flawed in that they tend to perpetuate and even enlarge achievement gaps over time.
All of the above (combined with an individualistic and convenience-oriented American culture) contribute to an environment that ultimately ends up in a kind of spoon-feeding of instruction. This in turn leads to a lack of intrinsic motivation and willingness to strive in order to learn. Without effort, there is little to no possibility that a rigorous curriculum can be absorbed, even if it is delivered. This may be one explanation for the student apathy that is so wide spread in today's classroom.
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