For decades, the United States was often looked to as a leading place for individuals to obtain a high-quality education. Indeed, many Americans throughout the years have enjoyed significant advantages in the field of academia. But over the last several decades, America’s public schools have been on a clear decline. This decline is most noticeable in the classroom and on academic reports, but physical challenges are increasingly becoming more apparent as national educational infrastructure continues to age and fall into disrepair. Indeed, in a recent report by CBS, the infrastructure of many of America’s public schools is put in clear focus. While it is true that due to the principle of Federalism (a clear separation and division of powers between state and federal governments) state governments themselves bear the bulk of the responsibility for the maintenance and funding of their schools and the curriculum standards, the federal government also plays a role in education. One school, known as Baker Heights elementary in the state of Louisiana, is located in the small town of Baker, near Baton Rouge. Only 12,000 individuals live in the town, and the tax base is declining, meaning there are generally less and less funds for public education available. The buildings, having been constructed in the 1950’s, are in a poor state.
This infrastructural decline is not isolated to Louisiana- states all over the country continue to struggle with this reality. More pressingly, though, is the paltry academic state of much of Americas youth. Test scores continue to fall year after year. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, recently wrote an article showing that Math scores in the nation declined by 13 points between 2018 and 2022, an alarming statistic.
In the state of New Jersey, a flawed school-funding formula is crippling districts in towns like Toms River and Lacey. Teacher shortages worsen, and now increased layoffs are likely despite the truly desperate need.