A third or more of high school seniors struggle in math and reading.
This past week, the National Center for Education Statistics released the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos voiced concerns regarding the decline in math and reading results.
“Today’s results confirm America’s schools continue to fall far short, and continue to fail too many kids, especially the most disadvantaged. Being a high school graduate should mean something. But when 40% of these graduates are ‘below basic’ in math, and 30% are ‘below basic’ in reading, it’s hard to argue the education system is preparing them for what comes next,” she stated.
The secretary continued, “Education funding flows most heavily to these students’ schools, but these data make clear money to schools alone will not fix the problem. It’s a problem of approach. This Report Card should light a fire under America’s education leaders to pivot and try something new to avert another lost generation.”
Secretary DeVos called on legislators to work with governors and the president to reform education in a way that empowers students and parents for the future. She concluded, “We must start to act like our national security hinges on fixing this, because it does. We must start to act like our economic growth hinges on fixing this, because it does. We must start to act like our very future hinges on solving this now, because it unquestionably does.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For lawmakers to take the education secretary’s concerns to heart and work on education reforms.
- For discernment for Secretary DeVos as she leads her department
- For the U.S. Executive Branch and state Governors to address the need for educational improvements.
- For high school seniors who are not adequately prepared for the future due to poor education.
Sources: Department of Education, NationsReportCard.gov
