I also am under the impression IQ’s are going up overall.
I do think some school requirements and social pressures can add to the depression of children, and depression contributes to low grades, dropping out, and suicide rates. I’ve said before that I think start times for teens for the school day are a serious reason I hated school and did worse than I would have if school had started later in the day. Some school districts have changed this based on studies. I also think there needs to be a cultural shift in many schools across the country where doing well in school is not something hat makes you less popular. Popular needs to be defined differently somehow. I think grades should be a personal thing, not something announced by teachers or on a bumper sticker on your mom’s car.
We need more good teachers to make sure kids are not falling through the cracks, and we need much better counselors in high schools. I don’t mean counselors to psychoanalyze the kids, I mean counselors to help children find classes that might be interesting and help find their way to a vocation or college that will help them become functioning adults in society. Having something to look forward to helps keep depression away.
I also strongly believe in a class like Home Ec that includes how we typically think of that class and understanding how to handle money and basics regarding finances and some etiquette.
I think all high schools should have study hall available as a school period to get homework done and get help from the teacher who minds the class. If the kid wants to take a nap in that class I am fine with that too.