Betsy DeVos: A Call for Education Reform—Empowering Parents and States

In the United States, “report card day” has often represented a crucial opportunity for families to evaluate their children’s educational progress. However, the revelations from last week’s Nation’s Report Card paint a grim picture of our education system. It’s a report that underscores a dramatic decline in academic proficiency, marking a pivotal moment for families and educators alike.

The Alarmingly Low Proficiency Rates

The recent report shows that a staggering seven out of ten fourth graders cannot read proficiently. This alarming statistic reflects a decline when compared to the previous report published in 2022. Furthermore, this persistent issue has been a trend for the past thirty years, showcasing a systemic failure within our educational framework.

Consequences of Poor Literacy Skills

Reading is the foundation of all learning. A lack of literacy skills hinders children’s ability to succeed across various subjects, limiting their future opportunities. Shockingly, less than one-third of eighth graders enter high school equipped with the necessary reading and comprehension skills. If current trends continue, many students will face a lifetime of struggles, exacerbated by limited educational prospects.

The Most Vulnerable Students Are Suffering

The most concerning aspect of this crisis is that the students who needed support the most—the already at-risk populations—have experienced the most significant declines in performance. Over the past decade, the lowest-performing 10% of students have seen their reading scores plummet by an eye-watering 19 points. This underscores a clear indication that the current system is failing those who need it the most.

Debunking the Education Establishment’s Narrative

Contrary to the narrative promoted by the education establishment, these declines cannot be solely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged closure of schools during the pandemic, often decided in a vacuum, exacerbated the situation far more than the virus itself. Ultimately, the trends observed in student achievement reflect changes that span decades, demanding urgent reforms.

The Department of Education’s Role

Since its inception in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education has sought to close achievement gaps among students. Yet, after expending over a trillion taxpayer dollars, it has presided over an expansive widening of these gaps. The latest data reveals that the disparities between the highest and lowest-performing students are now wider than at any point in history. This alarming trend persists even as nearly $200 billion in federal funding streamed into schools after the pandemic, specifically intended to assist struggling students.

The Flaws in the Current System

Continuously injecting funds into the same outdated and bureaucratically heavy education system won’t bring about meaningful change. The focus must shift away from administrative mandates and bureaucratic policies to prioritizing core subjects essential for student success.

A Proposed Reset for Education

It is time to reconsider our educational strategies. To foster a generation that can lead our nation into the future, significant reforms are necessary. To do this effectively, we must eliminate the existing framework of the Department of Education. Instead of centralizing control, power should be returned to individual states and parents.

Empowering Families Through Education Freedom

By enabling states to allocate education funds directly, we can ensure that no child remains trapped in a failing school. Congress should advocate for sweeping education freedom provisions, allowing families to select the best educational options for their children. This approach not only addresses the needs of students but also enhances parent involvement and satisfaction.

A Rising Call for Change

The recent electoral outcomes signal a clear preference among voters to restore authority to parents and states over centralized federal control. There is a critical need to act swiftly in response to this sentiment. As the future of our students and our country depends on effective education, we cannot afford to delay necessary reforms.

Empowering parents and states is not merely a policy change; it’s a movement towards a brighter future for American education. Now is the time to prioritize our students’ needs, ensuring that they have the skills to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.