What's happening in U.S. education? How is it changing?

The United State's public education system is in constant flux, as it should be in order to incorporate ongoing research about methods, programs, and their outcomes, as well as changing needs of students.

Unfortunately politics also can impact our public schools, never more than now. Despite this administration's call for schools to be managed locally (which they have always been), the president and the Project 2025 proponents are injecting their agenda into curriculums and programs, including denying DEI programs or teaching about slavery and civil rights.

From the US Department of Education website:
Education is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States. It is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The structure of education finance in America reflects this predominant State and local role. Of an estimated $1.15 trillion being spent nationwide on education at all levels for school year 2012-2013, a substantial majority will come from State, local, and private sources.

The Department of Education is responsible for 3 main programs:
1. Ensuring schools comply with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and funding special education programs.
2. Title 1 which supports public schools with high concentrations of low income students. It provides funds for additional teachers and remediation programs.
3. Federal student loans.
THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT DICTATE CURRICULUM - YET!

As for how American students compare to students worldwide, a 2022 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) study ranked American 15 year olds 19th of 37 countries in reading, math, and science, with math being the lowest at 28th of 37. It was noted that the U.S. has a more diverse student population and a higher proportion of lower-income students compared to many of the counties with higher performing scores.

Are schools preparing students for the current job market?
While formal educational requirements are becoming less stringent for some U.S. jobs, particularly for those in tech, postsecondary education and training are still projected to be crucial for a majority of jobs by 2031. Specifically, a recent report projects that 72% of all U.S. jobs will require some form of postsecondary education or training by 2031 according to the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University.

• Bachelor's degrees: A large number of jobs, particularly in managerial and professional fields, will require a bachelor's degree or higher, according to a report from CEW.
• Middle-skills jobs: A significant portion of jobs will also require skills acquired through some college, associate's degrees, or certificate programs.
• Healthcare and STEM fields: Fields like healthcare, engineering, and STEM-related roles will continue to demand specialized knowledge and skills often gained through formal education.
• Some of the most frequently cited demanding roles include those in healthcare, such as nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and physician assistants, due to their high levels of responsibility, patient interaction, and specialized knowledge. In the tech sector, software developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity analysts are in high demand and require continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies. Skilled trades like electricians and wind turbine technicians are also experiencing high demand due to infrastructure needs and the shift towards renewable energy. Here's a more detailed look at some of the most frequently mentioned demanding jobs:
  Healthcare:
• Nurse Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Physians Assistants Technology:
• Software Developers
• Data Scientists
• Cybersecurity Analysts

Skilled Trades:

• Electricians
• Wind Turbine Technians

Current issues in education:
1. Schools must accept and educate all students.
2. The push for vouchers, which takes funding and resources away from public schools and gives to private and public schools, which do not have to accept all students.
3. Schools are implementing The Science of Reading, reflecting research that shows which methods are successful, after falling reading scores for 30 years from using whole language methods.
4. Vast differences in local school boards, with some banning books, changing history and science curriculums, demanding religious teaching.

Be prepared to discuss your concerns, suggestions, experiences.