Despite the billions of dollars that the federal government invests in K-12 education annually, and the approximately $190 billion in federal pandemic funds, our education system continues to fail students across the nation. We must do better for our students.
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 50% of the public-school population in the United States was made up of low-income students. This is a significant increase from 38% in 2001. This is a nationwide problem with 40% of public-school students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches in 40 states.
States across the country have implemented education reforms targeting foundational skill development, most often aimed at supporting K–3 teachers. But as revealed in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, many American students are not proficient or advanced readers even at higher grade levels.
Another serious problem facing America’s education system is the high dropout rate. According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics, the dropout rate in the United States was 3.8% in 2017. This means that nearly one in four students do not finish high school.
Willow Palmer, 5, at right, comforts classmate River Yang, 3, as he sits in the safe place nook at the Meadow Lakes CCS Early Learning, a Head Start center, on May 6, 2024 in Wasilla, Alaska.
Don’t lump all these problems together. For a different view, I talked to Frederick Hess, who directs education policy studies at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute.
Teachers’ views on problems students face at their school also vary by school poverty level. Majorities of teachers in high- and medium-poverty schools say chronic absenteeism is a major problem where they teach (66% and 58%, respectively). A much smaller share of teachers in low-poverty schools say this (34%).
3. What we know at this point is incomplete. The situation could be significantly worse than the early data suggest. The data and stories we have to date are enough to warrant immediate action ...
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools. The American public education system stands at a critical crossroads in 2025, facing unprecedented challenges that threaten both student success and institutional stability.As educators and administrators navigate the post-pandemic landscape, they continue to grapple with long-standing issues while confronting emerging obstacles that reshape the ...
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s financial stress test model for American higher education institutions, as many as 80 colleges and universities in the US could ...
Declining test scores, widespread teacher shortages, and steadily increasing hostile behaviors like bullying and hate speech have all left their mark on public school students and teachers over the last few years. Many students, their families, and educators may be wondering what this new school year may bring. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at our work over the last year on trends in ...
Some of the most prominent issues have been around for much longer. American schools have high student-to-teacher ratios driven by a massive K-12 teacher shortage. Faced with disciplinary problems and low school funding, schools have focused on staffing classrooms at all costs. That means larger class sizes — and teaching quality problems.
Spread the loveOnce upon a time, enthusiasts constructed an education system to meet the economic needs of the industrial revolution. Fast forward to today and, and it seems apparent that the now established education system cannot meet the demands of our hyper-connected society – a society that is in a continuous state of evolution. Let’s examine 20 problems that preclude the American ...
Therein lies the solution to every major problem facing the American people — including the economy, job creation and terrorism awareness. Based on research provided by Dr. Steven Paine, a nationally renowned American educator, the OECD has offered a number of simple and practical lessons to the United States. According to Paine, money is not ...
National Center for Education Statistics May 2021. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), I am pleased to present the 2021 edition of the Condition of Education, an annual report mandated by the U.S. Congress that summarizes the latest data on education in the United States.
Let’s examine 10 problems that prevent the US education system from regaining its former preeminence. 1. Parents are not involved enough. Of all the things out of the control of teachers, this ...
Big Ideas is Education Week’s annual special report that brings the expertise of our newsroom to bear on the challenges educators are facing in classrooms, schools, and districts.
Mises Institute · 9d
