When I went through school, I felt that there was both a lack of emphasis on pure learning (learning how to think rather than what to thnk) AND standards.  Standards being minimum, testable results to ensure passing grades. 

I went through just as a lot of families were moving toward two-incomes, but I still felt (then and now) that the other students just didn't work very hard.  And many just didn't really care, as if everything would work out - somehow.  For a lot of them, it did.  But I have to blame their parents most of all.  Blaming parents who lack time is a cop-out.

I leave for work every day at about the time my sons wake up.  And I'm usually not home until 7:00 or 7:30.  Yet we make time for violin practice most days, and I read to them every single day that I'm home.  With my four-year-old, we're already up to the EB White chapter books like "Charlotte's Web" and "Trumpet of the Swan."  If you wonder why I've never seen "Survivor" or "American Idol" - not one episode! - now you know. 

While I make enough that I can't really understand the hardships of those who are closer to poverty, I really don't have any time for those who don't make similar sacrifices as what we are doing.  No one works 24 hours a day.  If you've got 20 minutes, you have time to read to your kids.  (Maybe you need 30-45 minutes when it comes to the homework stages). 

Is that a holier-than-thou position?  Sure.  But I'm right on this one. i can't speak for the minority experience because there's obvious racism (both real and imagined) that comes into play as well.