My mom was an elementary teacher for 32 years and will tell you that there was a noticeable decline in the preparedness of 1st graders; poorly fed, poorly clothed, couldn't read or write, misbehavior, and apathetic parents were among their deficiencies.  Those kids were a drag on the remainder of the class in several ways. A teacher's job should not include solving societal ills.

I know a teenager whose idea of studying is to turn on the TV, plug into an iPhone, text friends, listen to 'musik', and open a school book. Incredibly, the parents allow it.  Do you think Rocketship is going to solve that problem?

Hey, that "safe and well worn path" led to graduate degrees and comfortable lives for my siblings and I.  Also led a neighbor kid to MIT last year. Tell him his education was just "expensive stagnation"  I'm sure he'd be amused

"...soviet-era view of economics..." whatever that is.   Yeah, I had an epiphany too, it's called Citizens United  You think oligarchy is a good thing?