Here is something I routinely observed at several different schools here in LA: A good number of kids were merely placed in the back of the class and were not really part of what was happening. They sat somewhat removed, goofing around, not paying attention, etc. And the teachers pretty much ignored them.

At first, I was completely shocked, especially because this seemed to be common even in classes taught by teachers I thought were particularly good. I finally asked one of them and this is what she said (paraphrasing): "I call them the Walking Dead. They are beyond hope so I merely try to keep them separated so I can concentrate on those who have at least a small desire to learn."

It's that sort of reality that even good teachers can't do much about. The bad ones (and there were plenty) would sit and read magazines while the kids basically did what they wanted.