Are Public Schools a Success or are Some a 'Cartel?'

By D. Levy

“The Cartel” is a 2009 documentary which was written and directed by Mark Bowdon. This documentary heartbreakingly shows from 2006 data that quality education for all is a myth. The Cartel presents data from the U.S. Department of Education nationally that 35% of American high school seniors are proficient in reading and that less than 25%, are proficient in math.

Globally the USA is a powerhouse yet among industrialized nations in the world, the US ranks last in educational effectiveness despite spending the most money per student in the world. Where does the money go? The documentary suggests fraud, overspending, greed, unnecessary, high paid positions, and more.

America spends an inordinate amount of money on educating students – thousands per student, and hundreds of thousands per classroom. Yet, many students cannot read, write, or do mathematics. The cartel examines data and turns an eye to New Jersey where the spending per classroom runs more than $400,000 a year.! from the department of education where 30-40 percent of students are not proficient in math or reading.

I have heard stories over the years of a 3rd grader, a 6th grader, or even a 9th grader who cannot read. I also heard how many times there were specialists like reading teachers along with regular teachers running special reading groups for students falling behinds. Sometimes administrators and teachers, along with a clinical team would meet to discuss how to help these students – sometimes too late.

How are students doing today? The National Assessment of Educational Progress gives an assessment in reading comprehension every two years to 4th and 8th graders every four years to 12th graders. Its latest assessment was in 2019 and it found that 35 percent or less of 4th graders and 8th graders performed at or above the NAEP Proficiency.

“The Cartel” mentions vouchers and school choice as possible options to improve the skillsets for K-12th grade, public school students. School choice could allow for more options through open competition and more ideas. Besides choices, local districts need help from their elected officials. Students need parents to go to schools and school board meetings and to ask the tough questions and to demand responses. Accountability should matter and if it is not working, then changes need to be made. The children need this help and more.