The Current Status of American Schools

 As the school year begins, a review of public education in the U. S. reveals significant issues in student preparedness and engagement. This report outlines the declining academic skills among students and offers actionable advice for parents.

1. Diminishing Skills: Many first-year college students lack essential math and science skills. An alarming number, nearly 30%, of students at U. C. Berkeley struggle in early calculus due to insufficient preparation. Over five years, the percentage of first-year students at U. C. San Diego with below high school math skills has surged almost thirtyfold.

2. Literacy Concerns: There’s a notable decline in reading levels among college students. Professors at prestigious universities like Harvard report that students are quitting books they used to manage easily, indicating a lack of experience with complex texts.

3. Chronic Absenteeism Rising: Chronic absenteeism rates in K-12 schools have escalated from 15% pre-COVID to 28.5% in 2022, still holding at 23% post-pandemic. This persistent issue adversely affects academic performance, with achievement levels below those seen before COVID-19.

4. Funding Inefficiencies: Infusing more money into education is deemed ineffective. Currently, the U. S. spends about $1 trillion annually. For example, Mississippi, with lower spending per pupil, has made remarkable progress in reading proficiency through a return to phonics education.

5. Options for Parents: School choice is becoming essential. Parents should explore private choice programs and scholarship opportunities, like the Educational Choice for Children Act, which allows for donations to scholarship programs that assist with educational costs. The homeschool population is also on the rise, now representing about 6.3% of school-age children.

6. Importance of Family Structure: Strong family structures are emphasized for effective education. Children in intact, married households show better academic success and emotional well-being compared to those in non-intact family situations, with alarming statistics regarding fatherless homes in America.

To enhance children’s education, parents are encouraged to remain married, utilize school choice programs, and consider homeschooling. These factors are critical for their children’s success and the future of the education system in the U. S.

https://amgreatness.com/2026/08/04/the-current-status-of-american-schools/