I think there are plenty of people in life who like to argue for the sake of arguing. Never mind that oftentimes their position is totally flawed and lacking in substance.
I've truly tried for 13 years to help kids but at the end of the day you have to call it like you see it. A former principal who was instrumental in trying to turn around this failing school once told me the only real hope for most of these kids was if she could have them 24/7 as she knew the crappy life and home they'd go home to each day. Sadly, many people tip toe around the fact that the crux of the problem has to do with home life, including the absence of a father. Write a letter to the editor regarding this and you're accused of being a racist. But the reality is that a disproportionate number of black kids underperform in the classroom as compared to whites or Hispanics. I do this because it's not the kids fault ... it's crappy parents often who seemingly have no interest in their kids well being.
Some kids will make it ... but that smaller group is often where there are 2 parents in the home and they have jobs, even if low paying. But the ever growing poverty problem will continue to get worse as too many people have become dependent on the government to pay for most everything while they do little to improve their life situation.
And whereas I prefer to think of the kids I know I've really helped I know that's a small percentage. One kid told me "thanks for all the times you told me can't is not a word". And others who have actually picked up the phone and called me to say thanks or ask for math work during the summer.