Youth....wasted on the Young...

You have no idea about the socio-economic factors that result in children from under-privileged neighborhoods receiving a lesser education. In poorer communities students have less access to quality education; less money is spent on critical resources like books, technology, programs, services, etc. Schools are funded by tax dollars, so those students living in nicer areas, the districts have more money to spend on each student. This is what creates the achievement gap in education. William and Arthur most likely were not properly educated in K-5, which is why upon arrival at St. Josephs William tested at a 4th grade education. Instead of getting remedial services like tutoring or other types of intervention, he was just promoted grade after grade, so by the time he hit high school he was already years behind. Then its the job his current school to "close" that achievement gap, which becomes a struggle.

No amount of military school or "life skills, discipline or fitness" would have changed this for either of these boys. They both had it for a period of time at a strict St. Joseph school, and it didn't help them them. They were undereducated in their youth, it wasn't their fault. If you want to blame anyone, blame the way tax dollars are spent towards educating all students EQUALLY, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, etc.