Check out the preview of a new documentary film called "The War on Kids".  I'm not sure when it will be coming out, but I have ordered an advance copy which I would be happy to lend out.  Here is an excerpt from the website:

"While schools act under the authority of the doctrine of 'in loco parentis', where they assume the authority of parent, the interests of children are typically neglected in favor of attempts at establishing order through discipline.  Leaving an extensive paper-trail, capricious punishments have greater repercussions on the student's future than at any point in the history of education and, with the introduction of pharmacological abuse, the methodology of repression is more sinister.  Increasingly, education is no longer seen as the primary function of school by the administration, teachers, and parents and has fallen a distant second to security.  Where academics do come into play, performance is more important than actual learning."