Identifying the problems is important, even if you don't propose a solution, though. In a situation like this, discussing all the aspects of the problems - not just as arm chair strategists[1], but actually going out and getting hard data[2] - would greatly help to define it, and, from there, it might become easier to find a solution, even if it would be very non-optimal. Giving up because you think that "If there were real, easy, or plausible solutions, they would already be here" isn't productive in the least - it's like giving up a project when you can't find a library that does what you need.
[1] Yes, I know it's ironic that I'm an arm chair strategist discussing how not to be one.
[2] Off the top of my head, some questions that it might be useful to know the answers to: Where do the 13 to 20% fall on the IQ spectrum? What media do they consume? Are they really as unmotivated as the author makes them sound? What do they do with their time? Is smoking/drinking during pregnancy common? What percentage of them are involved in crime? What do they spend their money on?
[1] Yes, I know it's ironic that I'm an arm chair strategist discussing how not to be one.
[2] Off the top of my head, some questions that it might be useful to know the answers to: Where do the 13 to 20% fall on the IQ spectrum? What media do they consume? Are they really as unmotivated as the author makes them sound? What do they do with their time? Is smoking/drinking during pregnancy common? What percentage of them are involved in crime? What do they spend their money on?