Teenagers who can't read

It's sad when reading in class a student is called and they CANNOT read.  How does someone get into high school if they can barely read?  I get some kids actually just weren't taught.  Their parents didn't care so neither did they.  But some kids have no excuse.  They can't pronounce words or they just are painfully slow.  Kids like this really need a special ed class. or something, to help them.  How can you get a job or go to college if you can barely read?  But, I think, it's mostly our generation just doesn't read.  It's really sad, they only read when a teacher assigns it for homework.  An even then, they'll just use Spark Notes or get a synopsis from there friend on what happened.  It's really just kind of pathetic that some teenagers can't read or refuse to.