Ok, say you're right that the kids re 2-3 years behind their grade level.  So what you're saying is is that the teachers they had in the student's early years of school failed the student. I agree that there are some parents out there that don't live up to their duty as a parent. When I had my grandkids when their parents were deployed, I stayed on top of everything and what I found was some teachers who did care and others that wouldn't even respond to my email for information.  I do agree though that good parents will insure their kids do what they need to do. My grandson went from C's and D's to straight A's in the year I was responsible for them.