After the latest PISA results for 15-year-olds, the United States shows a decline in mathematics but modest gains in reading and science. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona aimed to acknowledge the bright spots while remaining cautious. The US is creeping up in world rankings, yet math losses leave the country at 28th among 37 nations. Cardona emphasized that 122 billion dollars in federal aid have been allocated to education recovery after the pandemic, noting that the funding helped the nation stay competitive.
This cautiously hopeful tone clashes with national studies that persistently track the state of education, even as the country spends more per student than many peers. In the months leading up to the PISA release, the spring report and the National Assessment of Educational Progress both signaled troubling trends. An independent analysis by NWEA, released in July, confirmed a downward trajectory that has continued for about a decade.
larger regression
Across mathematics, the data point to the largest drop ever recorded, with US students at levels not seen since the early 1990s. Reading comprehension has also shown a decline, dipping to levels observed in the mid-2000s. Projections suggest that to return to pre-pandemic performance, students would need roughly four and a half months of mathematics study and four months of reading practice. The early grades appear to be the most resilient in the current landscape.
A tempered optimism contrasts with the stronger and more discouraging assessments from leading experts on American education. Math and social studies results have deteriorated in ways not seen in two decades, and gaps by race and income have widened. Educators and researchers describe the pandemic as yielding differences that simply did not exist before, intensifying concerns about access to education for many families.
Problems
Chronic absenteeism remains a major hurdle, defined as students missing more than 10 percent of classes. The issue is most pronounced in underfunded districts but is also present in well-resourced schools. A substantial shortage of teachers persists across many schools, a situation worsened by the pandemic. Federal data indicate that 45 percent of schools face teacher shortages, and only a fifth of districts actually used new funds to support salaries, with concerns that pay levels may not be sustainable once federal dollars begin to wind down. Leading voices warn that 2024–2025 could mark a fiscal cliff for public education. Georgetown University’s Marguerite Roza described the moment as a hemorrhage for education finance.
There is also a debate about standards and quality in qualifications. Some observers argue that to reduce student stress, schools have lowered or offset failures, or granted credits for late or incomplete work. The perception gap between parent expectations and classroom realities has grown, fueling tension around accountability and grading practices.
Maximum training alarm
Economists warn that this generation faces long-term economic consequences from the education gap. The combination of weaker preparation and uneven resources is likely to pressure wages and overall economic performance for years to come. Officials acknowledge the seriousness of the situation but note varying levels of urgency across federal, state, and local governments. The response requires coordinated action that many observers say has yet to materialize in a unified plan.
Critics, including public figures such as Michael Bloomberg, have argued that there is a lack of concrete national policy. Bloomberg pointed to the absence of a clear plan from Washington, urging leaders to address education in a formal address to Congress or through a comprehensive White House strategy.
Answers
On solutions, researchers and education experts from top universities argue for more instructional time and broader access to enrichment. Harvard and Stanford scholars Tom Kane and Sean Reardon advocate expanding summer programs and after-school opportunities to close gaps rooted in economic and racial disparities. School boards are urged to negotiate longer school years and to consider policies that plan for long-term reform. Ideas include adding an extra year of high school to help students catch up and to smooth university or career transitions.
Some observers point to high-impact private tutoring as a viable option, but real-world implementation remains uneven. A federal study from late last year found that targeted tutoring was offered in only about 37 percent of centers, with substantial challenges in delivering high-quality tutoring due to teacher shortages and the need for specialized training.
A multi-state study by the Stanford Center for Education Outcomes Research found that speeding up learning and offering incentives for teachers with strong results can help reverse losses. One proposal is to provide additional stipends to teachers who accept larger class sizes in exchange for higher performance, a policy many districts are watching closely.
challenges
Political obstacles complicate reforms. The current administration seeks a substantial increase in education funding and continued support for Title I, while some lawmakers aim to reduce funding for education programs. Beyond politics, resistance from teachers unions and some parents to more punitive measures or drastic changes can slow progress. The country also sees a shift toward private schooling and homeschooling, a trend highlighted by recent analyses that show homeschooling rising to become a more common path for families seeking alternatives to public schools.
The broader landscape shows a nation wrestling with how to align expectations with outcomes, how to finance essential services, and how to ensure every student has equal access to quality learning opportunities.