"Unprecedented Decline: U.S. Education Standing Among Peer Nations in Jeopardy"

The recent release of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on education systems worldwide. While the OECD as a whole saw declines in math and reading scores, the United States fared better than many of its peers, with a decline of 11 percent in math but no statistically significant change in reading or science. This resilience can be attributed to the unprecedented federal investment of $122 billion in K-12 schools, which allowed for academic recovery, health and safety measures, and mental health support. The funding was allocated based on Title I rules, with low-income schools receiving more per-student funding. The U.S. has implemented evidence-backed interventions such as high-dosage tutoring, afterschool programs, and summer programming to aid in academic recovery. While there is still room for improvement, the federal investment and leadership have helped bolster the U.S. education system amidst the challenges of the pandemic.