You are aware that e.g. the Anch Public School curriculum is available on-line, so you could maybe provide yourself answer to some of your questions?  US universities are full of bright, hard working, serious-minded students, what they're not full of are children of parents who don't put much value in education.  "Failing of our education system" ? I think the problem originates much closer to home. "All high school graduates...take same test..." Why wait 'til they graduate?  How about instead, any kid who can't read a Dick and Jane book upon entering kindergarten gets sent home until they can.