Having more male teachers in K-12, with a specific need on the earlier years, can help boys stay interested in education longer. 76% of the teachers are female [0], with most of the male teachers teaching in later years. This isn't a silver bullet, and I don't have advice on how to achieve this, but my gut tells me this can help.
Male teachers provide male role models for boys to look up to.
Male teachers have a more personal understanding of what it is to be a boy.
Men and boys communicate differently than women and boys do.
Male teachers show boys that education is something males value enough with their time and attention.