Margaret Spellings on US Education Crisis, Testing, and Remediation

The Decline in US Student Achievement

• 📉 Student achievement in US K-12 schools has shown an ominous downward drift, beginning in the 2010s and worsening significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 🎯 This decline predates COVID, stemming from a relaxation of accountability measures and a reduced emphasis on standardized testing.
• 💡 The implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 is seen as a turning point, allowing states to loosen accountability requirements and manipulate assessment standards.

The Role and Backlash Against Testing

• 📊 Testing is presented as the most effective tool for improving student achievement and reversing declines, providing crucial data for accountability.
• ⚠️ A significant backlash against testing has led to its reduction in many states, contributing to the accountability collapse.
• 📚 The focus on basic skills like reading and math through testing is crucial, as proficiency in these areas is a prerequisite for learning other subjects.

COVID-19's Impact and Remediation Efforts

• 💻 The pandemic triggered a massive, unprepared experiment in online learning, with parents largely managing student education.
• 💸 Billions in federal relief funds were injected into education, but often resulted in little return on investment due to reduced accountability and other compounding factors.
• 📈 States like Mississippi and Alabama are highlighted as success stories for implementing research-based reading instruction with fidelity, demonstrating positive results.

Challenges and Future of Education

• 🎓 There's a concerning trend of disdain for standardized testing extending to higher education and professional schools (e.g., MCAT, LSAT), potentially undermining rigorous assessment.
• 🗣️ The alternative to standardized testing is often word-of-mouth or subjective judgment, which can encode biases and lack reliability.
• 🏛️ The federal Department of Education plays a vital role in national educational imperatives, providing leadership and accountability, especially in closing achievement gaps.

Signs of Hope and Parental Action

• 📚 A growing number of states are adopting research-based reading instruction, indicating a renewed focus on foundational literacy.
• 🧑‍🏫 There's increasing attention on teacher preparation and how technology can support educators in addressing complex classroom challenges.
• 🗳️ Parents are urged to familiarize themselves with their school districts' data, assess teacher distribution, and hold elected officials accountable for cross-aisle cooperation and prioritizing education.