Educational Crisis Exposed by Nation’s Report Card Calls for Immediate Reform

Educational Crisis Exposed by Nation’s Report Card Calls for Immediate Reform

A recent attempt by a group of congressional Democrats to intervene in the Department of Education has revealed their misunderstanding of the very agency they profess to champion. The underlying issue at the Department of Education is not a mere push to eliminate wasteful spending. Instead, it centers on the fact that the agency spends billions annually while producing abysmal educational outcomes.

The latest Nation’s Report Card presents shocking statistics; it highlights that one in three eighth graders are functionally illiterate. As students categorized as below basic readers, these young individuals struggle to extract meaning from written content.

This situation has severe implications. Placing a textbook in front of these students serves little purpose. On the cusp of adulthood, they face significant challenges, such as understanding employment contracts or lease agreements. Many cannot even grasp articles similar to the one you are reading.

Pandemic Accountability or Persistent Decline?

While it is tempting to attribute this educational crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent school closures, this perspective overlooks a critical point. Eighth-grade reading scores have been declining since 2013, indicating that the pandemic merely exacerbated an already troubling trend.

Returning to in-person schooling only restored the familiar status quo of educational inadequacy in many districts. Although more effective than online learning, the traditional classroom setup still falls short of delivering a meaningful education.

Achievement Gaps and Systemic Failures

Achievement gaps are noticeably worse in urban districts where teacher union leaders exert considerable influence. For instance, nearly two-thirds of eighth graders in Detroit are deemed below basic readers. In Baltimore, a staggering 71% of eighth graders fall below basic standards in math.

The stark irony lies in the fact that districts often championing equity find themselves delivering the poorest educational outcomes. There exists no equity initiative that surpasses the fundamental teaching of reading and mathematics. Unfortunately, inner-city schools persistently fail in their primary mission.

Modeling Change: Bright Spots Amidst the Crisis

Despite these challenges, the possibility of reversing this educational disaster exists. There are bright spots showcased in the Nation’s Report Card worth emulating across the nation.

For example, Louisiana has made significant strides in both fourth and eighth-grade reading and math scores. This improvement stems from a series of initiatives, including stringent new teacher training requirements and the deployment of hundreds of literacy coaches across schools.

One of Louisiana’s commendable strategies involves conducting literacy assessments three times a year for students in kindergarten through third grade. These assessments help identify students in need of intervention early on. One such intervention, high-dose tutoring, becomes accessible at reduced costs for qualifying families.

The Myth of Funding as a Silver Bullet

Numerous strategies exist to meet the diverse needs of students, yet one discredited approach continues to dominate the discourse—leveraging funding as the primary solution. The Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund, established by Congress in 2020, represents the largest education funding initiative in U.S. history. Approximately $189.5 billion in taxpayer dollars was disbursed to states and school districts, often devoid of accountability.

This funding experiment demonstrated that no amount of money can rectify poor leadership in education. The Defense of Freedom Institute uncovered extensive misuse of ESSER funds, revealing extravagant expenditures such as beach trips for administrators in Nevada and funding for gender identity administrators in Wisconsin. While adults indulged, student learning continued to suffer significantly.

A Call to Action for Educational Reform

As we move beyond the pandemic, the urgency for comprehensive reform in education has never been clearer. Cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Baltimore illustrate a harrowing reality—fewer than 10% of eighth graders are proficient in math. In essence, these districts are abandoning almost 90% of their students.

Every student, regardless of their background, deserves a chance to escape failing educational systems. Promisingly, former President Donald Trump has committed to providing these opportunities through his executive order aimed at expanding educational freedom for families.

The order mandates that the incoming Education Secretary support state leaders in liberating federal education resources for school choice initiatives. Achieving maximum flexibility in federal funding for educational freedom may necessitate the closure of the Education Department. As more families experience the advantages of school choice, the momentum toward shutting down the federal department could grow stronger.

Empowering Families Through School Choice

When families have the option to choose their children’s schools, public schools can no longer rely on students as a captive audience. Schools must demonstrate their value by delivering high-quality education. The forthcoming years present a transformative chance to redirect American public schools towards fundamental subjects vital for student success.

With determination and a steadfast commitment to our students, improved reading and math scores are achievable. This improvement is not just essential; it is crucial for the future prosperity of our nation.