Final answer:
The lack of parental involvement is one reason why school-based self-esteem programs fall short. Structural issues and proper incentive alignment in the educational system are critical for the success of these programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason why school-based programs to build students' self-esteem have not lived up to their expectations is that they lack parental involvement. These programs often emphasize various aspects such as academic achievements and physical health, but without the crucial support and reinforcement that comes from a family environment, their effectiveness can be limited. It has been observed that an increase in financial resources alone does not necessarily lead to measurable gains in student performance; this suggests that structure and incentives within the educational system play a critical role in the success of such programs. Enhancing structure, involving parents more, and better aligning incentives might contribute to improvements in both self-esteem building programs and overall student performance.