You know, this isn't just a public school problem.
My DD is applying to two private schools that screen children for cognitive abilities. I was surprised when I toured one of them that all students were working on grade level math. This school is famous for their STEM focus and they are doing amazing things at high school level (although I didn't see one single girl in their advanced robotic class....).
I understand how ability grouping might not work in all situations but a school that charges $21,000 a year and has 12:1 student teacher ratio can only do grade level workbook math? REALLY?
Agreed. Our DS had a horrible 1st grade year at a highly-touted private school with a pricetag to match. Workbooks and outright resistance to the possibility that he was gifted (despite their own testing pre-admission of his reading beyond a fifth grade level).
