A look at the United States Education system.

By Ronald Hernandez Jr. May 24, 2026

Education and School Concept. Photo credit: Louis-Paul Photo

The “COVID Reset”

“Students of all ages still haven’t made up the ground they lost during the pandemic..”

— Anna North, Vox

The United States Education System has been under scrutiny in the last fours years due to statistics that suggest a decline in scores and enrollment. A common public view is that COVID is to blame, but according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the decline has been happening for at least a decade. 

With society now heading away from the outbreak, even U.S. citizens with different political views are agreeing that the education system needs to either be restructured or replaced altogether.

The General Public’s View

According to Pew Research, in 2023, the majority of the public, no matter their political affiliation, believe education is headed in the right direction.

A Noteworthy Subject

Pew Research also shows that most Americans agree that subjects involving the country’s historical successes and failures should be talked about.

Happy kids and teacher at school. Photo credit: Konstantin Yuganov

It’s Not Just the Students

Not only are students declining in academic skill, there is also a shortage of educators sweeping the nation. The Learning Policy Institute reports that an alarming 45 states have shortages in the special needs field, while 41 states lack teachers in science, and 40 states need mathematics.

LPI also conducted research into whether or not teachers are certified and the results showed that over 411,000 of unfilled and filled teacher positions are not certified for their teaching assignment.

Innovation, technology, artificial intelligence. Photo credit: Monster Ztudio

AI and Education

With the AI age in full swing, education is right in its path and statistics show that it could be a partial cause in the decline of scores. Teachers may seem to agree considering that 72% of lower secondary teachers believe AI can harm academic integrity by letting students pass off work as their own as shown by a study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Although the studies show that AI has increased the quality and creativity of lessons and brainstorming, it has also decreased exam results by 17%.

Common Core to Common Problem?

In 2009, Common Core was introduced in hopes to revolutionize the United States Education System that cost the country $15.8 billion dollars.

Why The Education System Is Failing America | CNBC Marathon

CNBC investigated the situation and found that educators agree on the confusion Common Core caused by forcing them to create new curriculums and forcing parents to learn a new math system with no prior training. 

The investigation also displays the similar idea that control, and creativity were taken away from teachers by forcing them to use the new curriculum, removing the chance to adapt to their classrooms. 

The Government’s Plan for Change

In March of 2025, President Donald Trump announced the closure of the Department of Education. By doing this, he wants to give power back to the parents, states and communities while also saving federal money that was being spent on the department.

In February of 2026, the Department of Education posted an announcement stating that two more agencies have now backed the break up of the Federal Education Bureaucracy. The agencies are Section 117 and the Family Engagement and School Support Partnership, both of which promote innovation and ensure necessary security resources to provide safe learning environments.

What Can the Average US Citizen Do to Help?

Teenage school kids smiling. Photo Credit: Monkey Business

Amid growing concerns over the education system and the future of children in the United States, there are ways an individual could help. One could join or donate to Parents for Public Schools, who are involved in public school advocacy and reform. There is also the National Education Association, who champion justice and excellence in public education.