America’s Schools are Failing Students and Families – California Must Act Now

Long-overdue accountability measures must be prioritized to address unprecedented failures in California schools. 

A one-size-fits-all federal accountability model simply doesn’t work. After decades of schools failing across the country due to corrupt teachers’ unions and school administrators, state governments should be empowered to design their own systems to fit their state’s needs. 

As a former public school teacher, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges plaguing our education system. Amid the ongoing radicalization of curriculum and alarming dropout rates in California, it’s evident that these schools are failing to provide the quality education students deserve. As the 2022-2023 school year commenced, the exodus of approximately 1.2 million students from public school districts nationwide underscores the urgency of addressing these issues.

The importance of school choice resonates deeply with me, not just as an educator but also as a parent. Today, it’s commonplace to see radical educational approaches replacing fundamental subjects like reading and math in American classrooms. Scanning through news apps often reveals alarming headlines about explicit materials in school libraries, teachers assuming unconventional roles like drag performers, and educational institutions intentionally encroaching on parental rights. Many of these headlines involve California schools.

If we want to restore excellent education in California’s schools, we must begin with an honest assessment of where public education currently is in the Golden State. 

The negative effect of unscientific school lockdowns has emerged as a significant contributor to the decline in education outcomes of students nationwide. California’s COVID-19 policies were especially draconian. Unsurprisingly, student performance in nearly every core discipline has declined since closing our schools for a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) indicates that fourth graders have the lowest scores in reading and math since 2003. In 2022, only 23% of California students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level—a six-point drop from 2019. Low-income fourth graders had an average score that was 34 points lower than middle- and high-income students. Even worse, graduation rates are at an all-time low. The Productivity Commission report on government services focusing on education recently revealed that just 79% of students completed year 12 of school, compared to 83.3% five years earlier. 

State plans should detail their systems’ design process, implementation strategies, and continuous improvement mechanisms. Notably, states should hold themselves accountable for supporting districts and schools, creating a reciprocal relationship. The current accountability system in education, heavily reliant on federal regulation and standardized testing, applied uniformly across states and districts, has demonstrably failed to produce the desired outcomes. Moving beyond the obsession with a one-size-fits-all approach is crucial for creating improved student outcomes.

The good news for students is that more than 85 bills in 26 states have aimed at expanding parental rights and fostering transparency in public schools, including ones in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and Louisiana. California should follow suit, as passing legislation is an incredible and necessary first step. However, it is no longer enough. 

As highlighted in a recent report released by the America First Policy Institute, there have been numerous instances where, even in the states with enacted legislation, teachers and school boards have chosen to disregard or circumvent accountability measures. To effectively address this challenge, we need parents and teachers at the forefront of the movement. America First elected school board members will lead the restoration of accountability by ensuring our schools are staffed with well-trained educators, have abolished K–12 tenure, and are potentially equipped with classroom surveillance measures. 

When I was a classroom teacher, I always took pride in my teaching methods. I welcomed the opportunity to share the excitement of learning with parents and actively encouraged visits from them and my principal. The concept of transparency was ingrained in my approach to education, and I fail to comprehend why any teacher would oppose it.

Parents are in charge of their child’s education, and schools are accountable to them. It’s time for all Californians to unite and demand decisive action against the influence of radical indoctrination in our education system.

To learn more about California’s accountability system, click here.