Why do we lower the standards for American students?

American culture is your answer. Fifty years ago few students went to college. High schools were for college preparation. The vocational schools were an alternative that taught 'blue collar' skills. Today parents all imagine that their children are geniuses. Parents have made schools eliminate 'tracking', i.e., segregating students by IQ levels or such. Teachers now teach to the lowest student ability level. Few parents are qualified or willing to ist their children's learning. Good students do 25-30 hours of homework a week. Immigrant children are taking advantage of the American system and excelling in it. School boards contribute to these problems as schools become political entities. Teaching jobs become political perks.