The State of Education in Northwest Georgia and Beyond

An Imperative to Challenge the Status Quo in Public Education

In 1840, when public schools were barely thought of, and compulsory education was as yet unimagined, the literacy (the ability to read and write) rate amongst white American adults was 91.5%. An impressive feat, considering the lack of tax dollars dedicated to the achievement.

Today, with trillions spent annually, 21% of adults in the US are illiterate. 54% of adults have literacy levels below the 6th-grade level. On average, nationwide, 66% of 4th-grade children in the U.S. could not read proficiently in 2013. That figure was unchanged in 2022.

Yet, schools, prove the iron law of bureaucracy year after year and keep churning out ill-prepared students. No matter how dismal the record, reform is a wish at best. One cannot help but ponder just how low achievement levels must go before major reform is undertaken.

The charts below for third, eighth, and high school grades demonstrate Students and society are plagued by the tyranny of the status quo in public education at every level. If leaders and administrators in education won’t recognize change is needed, perhaps voters will.

Definition: Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.

Third Grade

Eighth Grade

High School

Tired of settling for the status quo in public education? Click Here to learn what reforms can look like.