While this may show an improvement on paper, these students are not really learning and when a true test of knowledge occurs they will fail to meet expectations. It is best to be blunt with these students so that they can always improve.
So one might wonder, what can we do to improve our education? Well, the best example is to look at a world renowned school system, Finland's. In the Finnish education system, students receive a tuition free education. From a very young age, Finnish children are taught that teachers are a prestigious title to hold, much like a doctor or lawyer here in the states. Not only careers in education, but careers in all fields are positively looked upon and children are encouraged to pursue whatever interests them. The American education system should take from this example to promote higher secondary education to children at a young age so that they have the right motivation to perform well in school and not settle for less. Imagine the states if this change were to come into fruition. Students would actually enjoy going to school and there would no longer be jokes about how horrible working towards a career is. Students that are motivated to achieve their dreams (biologist, teacher, engineer, etc.) will become passionate and drive them to stop at nothing to succeed. With an enhanced early drive, students will work harder in class and understand the true importance of standardized tests. With more students motivated to succeed there will not only be increased enrollment rate in college (degrees are necessary to get careers), but there will also be a higher percentage in adults graduating with an Associate's degree or higher. Maybe even achieve a Bachelor's degree or higher for children want the most out of their education.
In today's average public-school classroom, there are usually 20-25 students under the helm of one teacher. The problem with this ratio is that the teacher doesn't have enough time to devote herself to each student entirely so that they might reach their full potential.