The school system where I'm from (Germany) is flawed itself, but it's definitely better than the one here in the US.
Some differences that I noticed when starting college here:
- I had never taken a single multiple choice test before - everything was always short answer format, which requires active processing and recall of the information instead of just blind memorization
- Essays were handwritten in class, not take-home assignments - this helps with naturally picking up spelling and grammar, because there is no programm to check and correct your writing
- Homework assignments were never graded - it is your own choice and responsibility to study when necessary, and teaches you to be self-motivated
- High School seniors are trusted to attend class whenever able and allowed to miss it when not, because they are treated more as adults than children - this again makes students take responsibility for themselves
- Classes aren't pick and choose - every student is required to take all subjects offered to a level that ensures a well-rounded education (as an example, basically ALL Gen Ed classes I took at my college in the US covered material I already knew)
Another significant difference is that not all students have to attend 12 years of school to get a High School degree. There are degrees which only take 9-10 years instead. This allows students who aren't as good in an academic setting to start work training instead and still get into a well-paying job (unlike here, where I might end up working minimum wage even though I have a college degree!)
it needs work for sure, but the responsibility of the student is to learn & continue to study/learn/develop things that they need to know. you can't expect to only do things in class & remember it forever.
That's true in an ideal world, but unfortunately that skill itself needs to be taught to most people.