America’s Education Crisis Risks Giving China the Edge

The United States is facing a growing crisis in education that, according to experts, could weaken its economy, potentially impair national security, and give China an edge in the global arena.

National test scores provide a grim picture, showing a marked decline in literacy and numeracy since the mid-2010s, a downward trend that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics reports that reading levels for 13-year-olds have sunk to lows not seen since the 1970s. Among adults, close to 30% now score at the lowest level for literacy, and a third rank lowest for math, both figures considerably above international averages.

The American Enterprise Institute’s Deputy Director of Education Studies, Nat Malkus, shared his views with The Telegraph. He stated, “Even if it’s only half as bad as those test scores suggest, it’s unbelievably terrible. It’s hard to overstate how bad it is.”

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These educational declines could pose a significant risk to U.S. national security, particularly as China has managed to enhance its education standards, reports The Telegraph. Over time, American students have fallen behind their peers, with the gap widening post-pandemic. This raises important questions about the impact on America’s future human capital and economic stability.

According to Stanford economist Eric Hanushek, U.S. students may lose 6% of their lifetime earnings due to pandemic learning loss, which could result in a $31 trillion cut from the GDP over the century. Furthermore, the American Enterprise Institute states that the gap between top and bottom performers in the U.S. is widening at the fastest pace globally, based on comparable data.

Comparatively, China’s educational advancement is rapid, with projections indicating a skilled workforce of more than 120 million college-educated citizens by 2040. This stands against a stagnant 60 million in the U.S. It’s been noted that America’s share of the global college-educated workforce already dropped from 40% in 1950 to 16% in 2022.

The U.S. Department of Education has spent over $3 trillion since 1979, with seemingly little to show for it. Despite a 245% increase in per-pupil spending over the period, there has been virtually no measurable improvement in student achievement. The evidence suggests that the U.S. education system needs urgent attention and reform.

In conclusion, the U.S. education crisis is real and urgent, and its consequences may extend beyond the classroom and into the national economy and security.