What will the societal implications of all of this grade inflation, spoon feeding for the test and lack of discipline in school? Are we not teaching children the importance of failure?

Having worked as a teacher for a few years, I am amazed at the level of grade inflation to the point where middle school students in my home district that fail a test can retake the test and can get up yo an 85 (used to be a 65 when I was a kid). I am also amazed at how everything has to be literally spelled out to students for a test with teachers doing everything but give the students the exact questions for the exam.

It seems how the lack of standards have trickled down into a complete lack of discipline and drive with students, with students showing up in inappropriate clothing and treating teachers as if they are merely a vehicle for a grade.

Working as a teacher and reflecting on my time as a student, I feel like some of the most formative experiences in my life was when I failed and had to face serious adversity in order to succeed. Have we failed our students/children by shielding them from this vital learning experience in exchange for the misleading reward of an inflated grade? What do you all think?