But we need to experiment with them and see for sure, especially when it comes to schools that are horrible failures. The state's obligation is to educate children. If it can't provide traditional public schools capable of meeting that obligation, then it should seek alternatives. However, most of the emphasis currently seems to be on improving female math scores. There are organized groups that draw attention, and have been drawing attention for some time, to female test score deficits.
Federal programs exist to narrow the gender gap in math and science.
Male test deficits haven't drawn as much attention, but they are beginning to, especially, as you point out, in reading. I believe in full school choice and in the ability of parents to choose the school that best suits their child. All the bending and stretching of test scores would go away if parents were allowed to make the choice on where their children go to school. Schools would have to compete for students like the college system does. Since choice in higher education works so well why are we not looking to that model to solve the K-12 problem.