Senator Capito on Declining U.S. School Achievement and Education Funding

Declining Student Achievement

• 📉 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores show students have not recovered from pandemic-related school closures.
• ⚠️ Math and reading scores are worse than pre-pandemic levels, with reading scores continuing to decline.
• 📚 A significant concern is that a third of eighth graders are not reading at a basic level, which is deemed unacceptable.

Education Funding and Priorities

• 💰 Declines in achievement have occurred despite nearly $190 billion in COVID relief funding for elementary and secondary education.
• 🎯 Federal education spending should focus on ensuring children can read and write at a basic level, crucial for national competitiveness.
• 🏛️ Education decisions should be made by those closest to students, including local schools, teachers, school boards, and parents.
• 🤝 Formula grant programs like Title One, IDA, and Career and Technical Education provide necessary flexibility for states and local communities.

Charter Schools and Innovation

• 🏫 The budget proposes an increase for the charter school program, which is showing promising results.
• 🎓 The WIN Academy in West Virginia is highlighted as an example of a successful early college charter high school providing accelerated degree programs.
• 🚀 Charter schools are recognized for using flexibility to offer innovative learning opportunities and prepare students for high-need jobs.

Student Loan Borrower Challenges

• 🎓 Student loan borrowers have faced confusion and misinformation regarding loan forgiveness.
• 📊 As a result, one in four borrowers is in default or delinquency, with only 38% currently in repayment.
• 💬 The department must restore trust by providing clear and consistent information about student loan repayment.
• ✅ Progress is being made to get borrowers back on the path to repayment.