Fixing Failing U.S. Schools " American Greatness

A Sept. 28 New York Times article, “30 Ideas for Fixing U.S. Schools, Ranked by Experts,” highlighted measures such as small-group tutoring, the “science of reading,” and expanding universal pre-K. The piece argues that the discussion largely misses the role of teachers’ unions. Citing a Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) study released in September, it claims Democrat-run states with strong union representation have lower student literacy rates, while Republican-majority states with weaker union presence rank among the highest, naming Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Indiana. It also alleges difficulty firing underperforming educators and criticizes step-and-column pay systems and union influence in blue states such as New York.