Enjoyed your article, and there (are) fixes to these issues:

1. How did the U.S. go from being #1 in World Education to #17 (#23 in Math and Science)? A: The creation of the U.S. Dept of Education. It was once ‘filed’ under Health & Education in 1953 until Carter dedicated a cabinet to the DOE in 1979. BTW: By the 1960s our Education began declining, and has gone downhill ever since. [Note: Every super-successful person is a College Dropout).
2. Instead of the U.S. creating a Standardized Education model (think France and Singapore, now #1 and #2 in World Education), we decentralized Education by state, where Wealthy districts received More $$ toward Music and Art than the inner-city, and have absolutely No Structure. Our current Education Model is “All over the Place” for why kids get bored and drop-out (Every 7 seconds in the U.S.)
3. This is why Urban Education fails and Suburban Education succeeds in test scores and figure aptitude. If you’re Not given the tools to succeed, you will fail.
4. It’s not that kids don’t “want” to go to school, they’re just not learning anything useful! They’re literally bored (sh*tless). They don’t care about how George Washington crossed the Delaware and when the Declaration of Independence was signed!
5. Today’s Education is undoubtedly marked with Rigid Conformity in many examples you’ve listed, which stifles “Free Thinking” and creativity. The student can’t say, “I don’t want to learn this crap!” And the Teacher (can’t) veer off what the school says he/she MUST Teach, creating redundancy!
6. My son’s teacher said, “He beats to His Own Drum — And that’s Not necessarily a bad thing…” I understood exactly what she meant, as I’ve allowed him open expression and free debate, but reminded my children that, as the adult, I get the final word. So, yes, kids have to be instructed to follow rules, even if unpleasant.
7. I was Catholic-Schooled, and while raised in an environment where you cannot speak unless spoken to, it was designed that way to keep a child in a child’s place.
8. Too much “Free Expression” can lead to Disrespect for the Rules. Being a parent means you’re Not your child’s friend. They will begin to treat you that way as if you’re on the “Same” level, (i.e., your preteen or teenager says F-you, because you disciplined them)!?
9. Yes, Catholic School (Guilt-riddles) you! And you’ll have nightmares about an F! Is that really such a bad thing?
10. Children need MORE “Arts” as an outlet to Creativity and Expression. But our Government has steadily cut the Arts (Music Instruments and Art Supplies, i.e., Clay, Paint, etc.), from the Federal Budget!
11. Verbal expression is had during lunch, recess, in the hallways, AND the classroom. That’s how they make friends to chat with on their Computers and Smart Phones at home. So yes, they need Quite Time to Focus on work!
12. Work and Discipline really do build Character and Responsible Adults.
13. Unfortunately, The School isn’t responsible for fostering those things,
    Parents Are!

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This is my favorite quote:

“Those who can make you believe absurdities… Can make you commit atrocities” — Voltaire!

Edited excerpt from the eBook Red-White and Poor “A Quality Education”