Viewing the mind-boggling performances of teenaged Olympic athletes, I consider our students.  Their willingness (or lack of) to commit, to try, to fail, to strive in the classroom is troubling.  The British gymnast Louis Smith has a tattoo on his back that reads: "What I deserve I earn".  It's rare to hear that sentiment expressed in our halls & classrooms.
What do our students know about "learning, working, producing... twice as hard"?  Very little.  A number of our seniors can't see the value in the senior project: in which they select the focus and carry out a project of their own conception in the "real world".  How is that not a dream assignment?  
When my more optimistic side takes over, the PBS Frontline piece about the West Philly HS students who built 2 hybrid cars to compete at the highest level competes for mental space with my frustration (clearly shared by many of you!)  One obviously bright and articulate student in the auto program talked about how, prior to getting involved, she was in low performing classes.  Disengaged and cutting classes, she had become despondent about her academic prospects.  But once redirected to something that gave her purpose, she not only invested, she thrived. 
Is it possible that we're going to need to fall farther and feel it more before we Americans make the cultural changes necessary to improve education?  I agree with Kim's point that our community (& therefore our admin) would be unlikely to support teachers who truly emphasize academic rigor.  But that is precisely the kind of intellectual challenge necessary to push American students into a fighting position with other worthy minds around the world.