The reasons for this range from concerns over the rigor of academic curriculum to the lack of school funding and quality teachers.Ĥ5% of public schools had at least one teacher vacancy this fall According to a 2022 Gallup poll, only 42% of Americans are satisfied with their children’s education. Given students’ academic struggles and school’s employment challenges, it’s no surprise that Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with the state of K-12 education. In Virginia, this shortage is particularly acute in elementary schools, for students with disabilities and in science and other major subjects. And 20 years of progress in math and reading were erased over the course of the pandemic - with Black and Hispanic students faring disproportionately worse.Ĭompounding the problem is a national teacher shortage plaguing more than three-quarters of states.

This academic year alone, half of students in the United States started at least one grade level behind in at least one subject.

While people across the political spectrum agree that education is key to providing the very best opportunities for our children, our current education system is leaving far too many children behind.

After all, that is part of the promise of the American Dream - that, with a good education, any child from any background can climb the ladder of success. Glenn Youngkin Dementi Studio/Office of the Governor of VirginiaĪs the discussion turned to the future, I encouraged the students to dream big and work hard, and noted that if they followed that guidance, their dreams could soon become reality.

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