I agree with you generally, but.....
Who will be willing/incentivized properly/capable/etc to implement the systemic changes needed for public education to succeed?
For example(s).... Pay for performance? Expedited removal of incompetent educators? Curricula that get back to the fundamentals (Reading, Writing, Math, Civics)?
There is exactly nobody currently inside the public education system that has the ability to fix the system. I'd offer legislation as a path, but, we all know that path ends in the ocean.
Mr. Gorbachev... Tear down the education system.