The Trump administration is taking new steps to shift education control back to the states. This comes after a recent report showed that high school seniors across the country are struggling in reading, math, and science. The National Center for Education Statistics released its findings, which indicate that students are performing at some of the lowest levels in history.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlighted these troubling trends, noting that reading scores have hit new lows and math scores are at their worst in two decades. In a video message, she pointed out that 78% of high school seniors are not proficient in math, and 65% are falling short in reading. She stated that these issues are not just a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but have been developing over the past ten years.
McMahon emphasized that simply increasing federal spending on education has not solved the problem. She believes that local control is essential for addressing these challenges. "Success is not about how much money we spend, but who spends it," she said. The administration’s goal is to empower local communities and parents to better meet the educational needs of their students.
The National Report Card, which assesses student knowledge across various subjects, revealed that the average reading score for 12th graders in 2024 was three points lower than in 2019 and ten points lower than in 1992. Math scores also dropped by three points since 2019, while science scores fell by four points. Additionally, earlier assessments showed that around 70% of fourth and eighth graders are not proficient in math or reading.
Tim Walberg, the chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, expressed concern about the implications of these poor education outcomes. He warned that low academic skills could threaten national security and weaken the economy. He stressed the importance of ensuring that every child acquires the skills needed for success.
As part of its efforts to address these issues, the Trump administration is advocating for school choice policies. This would allow parents to use state funds to help pay for private school tuition, giving families more options in their children’s education.
Overall, the administration is committed to reversing the current trends in education and believes that returning control to states and local communities is a critical step in improving student outcomes.
