Maybe we should blame the student for failing in school.

Even I got lost in all the rhetoric:

Huffington Post: What makes our system's disincentives even less motivating to students is that even if students responded to these incentives, we have stunted their effectiveness as our education system does little to place the responsibility of failure on the students. Thirty years ago, poor grades were a poor reflection on the student -- but now, they often are seen as a reflection on the parents, teacher, and school. To shield themselves from criticism, some schools...

Stop there. Kind of makes sense doesn't it? I would say many parents, school boards and state governments are trying desperately to deflect their failure by denouncing unions, teachers and school staff. It's the anti-union charter and voucher schools that will give parents and politicians cover. 

But the article brought up something else, another doh! moment. When I was in school in the late 50's and 60's, the following was already a part of the plan, and not some new idea as suggested here:

Lastly, schools and parents alike can better disincentivize failure by creating real consequences for it -- whether this is expanded mandatory after-school study halls, reducing the ability of a student to socialize during the school day, or, if the funds exist, a boarding school option for students at risk of failing out of school.