Declining Test Scores and School Closure Controversy
Many believe that schools closed unnecessarily during the COVID pandemic, leading to a significant drop in test scores even five years later. Now, the opposition to school choice seems to be stronger than ever among unions and other allies.
For decades, this stance against parental choice has been a part of the Democratic agenda, but since 2019, the evidence of its consequences has become clear. Disturbingly, the numbers show a downward trend in educational outcomes.
The latest national assessment reveals that high school seniors graduating in 2024 demonstrate worse performance in both math and reading compared to their peers from 2019. The percentage of seniors scoring at or above the “skilled” level in reading dropped from 37% to 35%, while in mathematics, it fell from 24% to 22%. Concerningly, the number of seniors failing basic math rose from 40% to 45%, and those below the basic reading level increased from 30% to 32%.
According to reports, COVID exacerbated an already declining skill set among students, with some educators expressing a strong desire to improve both math and reading skills more than any class from the previous generation.
This graduating class spent almost four years in an environment marked by lockdowns, masks, remote learning, and persistent absenteeism. By late March 2020, all public schools nationwide were closed, affecting over 50 million students.
Authors Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee noted that these closures represent “the widest and longest education disruption in history.”
The Role of Unions
Macedo and Lee also mention the American Federation of Teachers and its president, Randi Weingarten. Some congressional subcommittees investigating the pandemic concluded that many schools stayed closed due to political interference influenced by Weingarten and the Biden administration’s guidelines for reopening.
This interference continued despite mounting evidence that children faced less risk of serious illness and were less likely to transmit the virus compared to adults, a trend supported by early findings from places like Iceland and initial reports from Wuhan.
Instead of taking a lead in reopening schools, the guidance suggested that closures should remain the default approach. The outcome? The U.S. education system now resembles that of many developing countries rather than its democratic counterparts.
Lack of Reform
In response to these disappointing test results, educational institutions seem to be leaning towards increasing union power rather than implementing reforms.
Reports indicate that since COVID, the school administrators’ union has expanded, incorporating 11 new locals across eight states while focusing on strikes and threats in areas like Washington State and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, lawsuits from teachers’ unions aim to block school voucher initiatives.
In conclusion, the very groups that extended school closures are now seeking more funding and influence, with students suffering the consequences.
Spending and Results
In 2019, the U.S. spent about $15,500 per student, which was 38% more than the average across OECD countries, leading to increasingly disappointing outcomes. Yet, unions continue to resist competition from private and charter schools.
Nevertheless, there are pockets of hope. By May 2025, 35 states had some form of school choice program, though most of these states supported Trump in the 2024 election. Conversely, 11 states that voted for Harris have no form of school choice.
This pattern illustrates that extended lockdowns primarily affected blue states, where Democratic leadership seemingly prioritized union interests over the educational needs of students.
Lessons on Federalism
Macedo and Lee argue that extensive school closures in Democratic-leaning areas found considerable political backing. A study from New Jersey indicated stark contrasts: Red states provided about 74.5% of in-person instruction during the 2020-21 school year, whereas blue states managed only 37.6%. In essence, students in red states gained almost double the in-person learning days compared to their blue state counterparts.
This reveals a significant gap in educational achievement influenced by political decisions. The emphasis on learning in red states stands in stark contrast to the requests made by unions in blue states.
Final Thoughts
As American seniors struggle with reading and math skills, the situation also acts as a lesson in the importance of federalism. When unions dictate educational policies, students bear the brunt of the fallout. Providing parents with choices can significantly enhance educational opportunities for their children.
The battle for school choice is more than just about improving test scores; it’s about safeguarding families from educational failures that have hindered an entire generation of learners.
