Human Resources: Executive Summary:Education at the Primary and Secondary Levels

There are signs of improvement in the U.S. primary and secondary education system, but it is still underperforming in many important areas. Even as some test scores show an upward trend, large numbers of students are not performing at grade level, and progress tends to come only in small increments.

Some standardized tests indicate that primary and secondary education in the U.S. is moving in the right direction. In 2004, the average math SAT score was 518 out of a possible 800, down one point from 2003 but 14 points higher than the scores of a decade ago. Verbal scores also rose by one point in 2004, reaching 508, following a three-point rise in 2003.

One particularly promising sign is that scores rose for the two fastest-growing groups of test-takers: Mexican Americans and "Other Hispanics." Steven B. Sample, president of the University of Southern California, stated, "This recent increase in Latino student SAT scores is a positive sign that colleges and universities may see an increase in the number of students from Latino backgrounds who pursue postsecondary education."

The National Assessment of Educational Progress has also had good news recently: the percentages of fourth- and eighth-grade students who scored as Proficient or Advanced in reading and math increased slightly in 2003. However, test scores in both subjects show that there are improvements still to be made. Discrepancies in average scores persist among racial and economic groups, and roughly a third of U.S. students are still categorized as Below Basic.

The educational system is struggling to meet the needs of a growing number of students. Enrollment in elementary and secondary public schools increased to approximately 48 million students in 2003. That is the highest enrollment ever, and increases in the birthrate and immigration will cause that trend to continue. More of those students are finishing school, as well: the percentage of people 25 and older who have graduated high school continues to rise as the dropout rate falls. Although some progress is being made in narrowing the difference in dropout rates among ethnic groups, the rate for Hispanics remains worrisomely high.

School reform efforts continue but with mixed results. The national trend toward standardized testing and school accountability produces measurable benchmarks of student achievement, although the debate about how and how often to test continues. Some critics even argue that too great a focus on standardized tests will harm U.S. education over the long haul.

Charter schools represent another reform effort, though their effects are difficult to quantify. Many are exempt from standardized testing. Anecdotal evidence describes some inspiring success stories as well as some striking flaws. It will take more time to see how the voucher/charter school experiments are working.

School discipline is an area ripe for reform. A survey by Public Agenda finds that 85% of teachers and 73% of parents think that the education of most students suffers from the disruption caused by a few students who chronically misbehave. Most teachers and parents feel that discipline could be improved both in and out of school. Teachers also feel that their efforts to discipline students are not supported by parents or the school administration. Harris Interactive's study Exodus: A Study of Teacher Retention in America found that lack of support, along with low pay and a perceived lack of appreciation, were the top reasons teachers left the profession.

While the U.S. school system shows some signs of improvement, few experts believe the status quo is good enough. The system does not teach all its students well, and underperforming students will join the workforce as an unskilled underclass of workers in the global marketplace.

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