Have you ever been to the DMV? The next time you go, look around at the other people you are in line with. That is 'the rest of the country' that you are talking about. They aren't especially functional or reasonable.

That is because of societal and structural neglect. Don't be a part of the problem.

I love how you assert that with such confidence, as though you actually know what you are talking about!

You are getting dangerously close to personal attacks, which I believe will detract from your otherwise reasonable points. I think the discussion on HN is one of a few places where you could get appreciation for the problems in the educatiom system and it would be a waste to end it in heated emotional attacks.

No, it's just my speculation. It gets tiring prefixing everything I say with "It is my personal belief that"

And what exactly about them isn't functional or reasonable? I was at the DMV the other day; there were people from all walks of life and they all looked functional and reasonable.

They're reasonable and functional? That's news to me -- at least for Appalachia, Texas, etc. (Have you read Hillbilly Elgy?)