When I was in elementary and high school, I always got stuck in the back because I was at the end alphabetically. I made okay grades but couldn't wait to sit in front when I got to college! I truly believe that sitting in the front raises grades. At the very least, it's hard to fall asleep directly in front of a professor!
And as a professor, let me say that I can't believe that professors would allow those kids to "follow their own agenda" in class! If someone had a cell phone or whatever in my class, he/she would be so out of there!
My colleagues would do likewise!! I have never, in all my years as a student or professor, seen anyone with the nerve to just blatantly tune out a professor like that!