Staff Reports
The latest national report card on education has revealed concerning statistics, especially for those who care about the future of America’s youth. Reading comprehension and math proficiency are plummeting, and the blame game is in full swing. The Biden-Harris Administration has taken to celebrating Trans Day of Visibility and promoting books that some argue are more about pushing agendas than teaching kids how to read. Meanwhile, critical race theory and radical gender ideology are allegedly taking priority over essential educational tools like phonics and arithmetic.
It’s a sad state of affairs when eighth graders can’t compete with their international peers in math and English proficiency, and our fourth graders aren’t reading at grade level. This all-time low in American education surely highlights how far the system has drifted from its core mission. Instead of inspiring children to excel academically, schools have shifted focus, worrying more about hurt feelings than healthy competition. It seems that the quest to avoid harming self-esteem has led to the removal of class rankings and the glorification of participation trophies.
Former President Trump took a stand against this trend by issuing an executive order to cut federal funding to public schools that prioritize political correctness over educational basics. This move, while contentious, aims to redirect focus back to fundamental learning and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, echoes Trump’s sentiments and underscores the need for states to take the lead. By dismantling the Department of Education and empowering states, he believes that universal school choice and merit-based pay for teachers could overhaul the system.
Ramaswamy argues for a cultural shift in educational attitudes, one that champions winning and celebrating excellence over the current fixation on portraying students as victims. He is not calling for a Soviet-style education system but rather a return to an American tradition of achievement and hard work. It’s clear that his concerns aren’t just about educational performance—they touch on a broader issue that he sees as a national security risk if left unaddressed. The idea is that a well-educated and competitive workforce is crucial for maintaining America’s global standing, particularly as countries like China rise in prominence.
Ultimately, this troubling trend in education demands that both federal and state entities work together to prioritize learning over social engineering. It’s time to light a fire under America’s educational culture, emphasizing the inherent American values of achievement and competition. The future of the nation depends on it, and while some may bristle at these criticisms, there’s no denying that the status quo is failing students and, by extension, the country. It’s time for a course correction, and hopefully, it’s not too late for America to reclaim its educational greatness.
