I learned in eighth grade civics that compulsory education is one of the things that make the United States grand. To me, this sounds a lot like a supply and demand issue, from what I remember of economics.
Students are, after all, the purchasers of education.
Being savvy consumers, I'm thinking they are going to try to get the most bang for their buck. We all know that in America, or at least that's how the textbook rhetoric goes, when buyers flee, sellers must get smarter or market their wares elsewhere. Be sure to include your name and affiliation. Legitimate requests for anonymity will be honored. The Chronicle maintains Colloquy as an open forum where readers can comment on issues.