None of the issues will be resolved as long as teachers unions have the power they have. The Governor of Michigan should have fired every single of those teachers who called in sick.
Here's a few ways you fix schools (after breaking unions)
Uniforms for students and faculty.
Year round school with more short breaks , let's get past this agrarian summers off schedule.
Dual track high school, either college bound or trade bound.
A complete end to both Pel Grants and student loans. Simple , if you graduate HS with a 3.0 and score X on your exit exam you gain free college at the state college of your choice, if you don't you don't get any government assistance attending college.
Parental involvement. EVERY parent must volunteer X number of hours per year at their child's school doing SOMETHING.
Bring back discipline. I'm not talking about paddling here, but obviously students today don't respect or fear their teachers (or anyone else for that matter)
That's just a short starter wish list.