Education results get better and better?

I see that school results are "improving" again and there are less failings schools (why we tolerate the existence of any failing schools is beyond me). But what I would like to ask is that if our students are so much better can somebody please explain to me why students in my A-level Maths class cannot add two fractions with any confidence? And let's not look at the complete lack of basic algebra skills! A-levels have already had their contents reduced (you might say "dumbed down" but I couldn't possibly comment!) but how long will it be until we have to "adjust" the syllabus once again to "reflect the changing world"? The school system is very good at meeting targets but not so good at actually educating children.