Although one can find heroic exceptions here and there (generally in schools led
by extraordinary,
beat - the - odds and damn - the - torpedoes principals), far too many public schools in tough neighborhoods and poor communities fail to get beyond the challenges of discipline, truancy, turnover of both students and staff, the ever - present risk of drop - outs, students» lack of basic skills, and such fundamental human needs as feeding
breakfast to kids who come to school with empty stomachs.