re: The biggest problem in schools that no one is talking about

So I realize I'm late to the party, but a quick story from my SO yesterday (she's in TFA) that I couldn't believe:

Kid in her class has already failed the grade once and is repeating it. He never shows up, doesn't take tests or complete assignments, etc. All around worthless kid. My SO and another teacher both failed him, obviously, and the mom called and bitched at the principal.

The principal told both of them they had to pass him, which they both refused to do. So the principal manually went into the grade book and gave the kid a D so he would pass.

And we wonder why kids are lazy and stupid (over-exaggeration, not all kids are those things, but you get my point).