All great points! The region I'm in has great economic disparities from (public school) district to district. Aside from the political issues you mention, which have huge bearing, parents have a huge role, notably PTA/school foundation funding and being actively involved in their kids' education. Some parents are detached for cultural or selfish reasons, others because they are working multiple jobs involving long commutes. These parents don't have the personal resources to help their kids with homework or model in other ways the importance and value of education. Lifting parents out of poverty enough so they can get more involved is a major issue.

I used to work for a K-12 educational services company. I'll never forget teachers telling me "we can't lose the next Einstein or MLK because we let them slip through the (huge) cracks in our educational system." As a society, we should treat every child as a potential leader.