This crisis no one side is ready to handle.

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America’s education system is in trouble. But neither Republicans nor Democrats are up for the challenge of enforcing change.

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Multi-colored backpacks were scattered on the stands. — Alto Photography/Frederic Cerou/Getty Images

December 11, 2024, 6:11 p.m.

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This is the version of atlantic ocean A daily newsletter that guides you through the day’s biggest stories. Helps you discover new ideas and introduces the best of the culture Register here

In 1957, the Soviet Union shocked the world by launching the orbiting satellite Sputnik. The United States, fearing security risks and hoping it would make the country more competitive with foreign powers, responded. With a huge investment in the study of science and technology in the year 1983 “Countries at riskA report published by the National Commission for Educational Excellence warned of a “growing trend of mediocrity” in American education that “threatens our future as a nation and a people.” The warning helped spark the effort. of both sides at the national level in improving schools And the following decades have seen major federal initiatives, such as George W. Bush’s. No Child Left Behind Act and of Barack Obama race to the top along with important state-level reforms to promote success.

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America is facing another educational crisis. last week at new york times Reported american student The test, called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), found that fourth graders’ math scores dropped 18 points since last year. 2019, while 8th graders dropped 27 points, the math scores of both high-performing and low-performing 8th graders dropped, as education journalist Dana Goldstein noted. The coronavirus pandemic is a key reason for the decline. But it’s not the only thing: “In the United States academic decline And the gap between strong and weak students is widening. It was clear before the epidemic.” she wrote in 2019. National Assessment of Educational Progress It has been found that two-thirds of American children are unable to read to some degree. Expert level

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mathematically American people now lag In places like Singapore, South Korea, England and Poland, only 7 percent of American students scored at the top level in math, behind 23 percent in South Korea and Japan and 41 percent in Singapore. Declining math scores are part of a sharp decline in overall academic performance. And the score is getting worse as well. achievement gap between rich and poor students But even with these shocking numbers But the educational crisis is like that. Hardly mentioned During the presidential debate and there is insufficient evidence of the political will required to address the issue.

The bipartisan consensus on education has shattered, with President-elect Donald Trump and state-level Republicans seemingly more intent on waging a culture war. sex and religion More than solving the achievement gap Trump’s most vocal education initiative has been his threat to abolish the federal Department of Education. (which he is unlikely to achieve (This is because dismantling the department requires congressional approval.) Meanwhile, Many Democrats in Congress and at the state level are unwilling to oppose schools or teachers unions. This dynamic was most evident in the failure of anti-union resistance. push to keep schools closed during the pandemic

Some public education bureaucracies respond to declining student success by lowering standards. new york– Oklahoma– Wisconsinand AlaskaFor example, education officials adjust passing scores on standardized tests or change definitions of proficiency. and American parents continue They thought their children were fine. This is mostly because of the school’s higher grades.

For decades, the consequences of underachievement have been masked by the influx of international students into American higher education. Study 2022 meet International students make up the majority—sometimes as much as 80 percent—of students in U.S. graduate programs in science, technology, engineering. and mathematics At the same time, immigrants put on makeup With about a quarter of all workers in STEM fields, it’s unclear how Trump’s massive immigration crackdown might affect international students’ opportunities. or how willing they are to travel to the United States.

The central government does not have full authority to address problems in schools. But with just the right amount of political motivation. Governments may increase their efforts to enforce state responsibility for their students. Once upon a time in America We must rise to the challenge. by mobilizing the will and resources of the nation to face the crisis

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