Failing Schools Struggle as Underperforming Teachers and Funding Issues Persist, Calls for Reform Intensify

Larry Sand, writing for City Journal, emphasizes that factors beyond the impact of Covid-19 are contributing to students’ difficulties.

Failing schools continue to struggle, as the latest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading and math reveal a concerning long-term trend

Surprisingly, failing schools’ lack of funding cannot be blamed, as per-pupil spending has significantly increased over the years. The student-to-teacher ratio has also improved, further debunking class size as a key issue. The real problem lies with the number of underperforming teachers in failing schools. Data suggests that removing the bottom 5 to 7 percent of teachers in failing schools could elevate American education to the level of Finland’s esteemed system. This calls for measures to reduce the influence of teachers’ unions or, ideally, abolish them altogether.

In California, lawmakers have proposed a constitutional amendment declaring housing as a fundamental right. However, Steven Greenhut, in The Orange County Register, raises concerns about the potential consequences. While protecting tenants from forced evictions may seem noble, property owners may become hesitant to invest in or rent out apartments if they lack the ability to properly vet or remove tenants. The result would be a decrease in available rental properties and diminished housing stock quality.

The Biden administration has announced plans to forgive nearly $40 billion in federal student loans for over 800,000 borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans in failing schools

Reason’s Emily Camp questions this move, considering that the Supreme Court previously struck down Biden’s original loan forgiveness plan. Nevertheless, the Education Department is moving forward with these loan cancellations, stating they rectify previous errors in failing schools.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, though facing potential pitfalls, remains in the political race. DeSantis benefits from the fact that former President Trump’s support has reached a plateau, without securing him as the clear frontrunner. Additionally, other non-Trump candidates have not made significant strides. DeSantis’s performance in the upcoming debate in Milwaukee will be crucial for his campaign’s trajectory in failing schools.

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