(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) First Lady Jill Biden used a July Fourth speech to tout her husband as “the education president”, despite states across the nation reporting abysmal test scores throughout all age groups
According to the Daily Caller, average test scores fell 4 points in reading and 9 points in math compared to the 2019-2020 school year. Average scores dropped 7 points in reading and 14 points in math compared to the 2012-2013 school year.
“I knew that Joe would always be the education president, because he knows that our nation’s — you know, the success of our nation starts with you, the educators who shape our students’ lives,” Jill Biden said.
The First Lady then introduced her husband and stepped aside to let him speak about how American children belong to everyone. He also attempted to compare kids to kite strings, the purpose of which was not clear.
Republican politicians and commentators responded to the gaslighting, pointing out that by denying families the opportunity to send kids to their school of choice many kids are trapped in failing public schools.
“We must have school choice in this nation because every child in every zip code deserves a quality education,” presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., wrote in a tweet.
THE education president wouldn’t trap kids in failing schools.
We need a president who knows giving parents a choice means giving students a chance.
We must have school choice in this nation because every child in every zip code deserves a quality education. https://t.co/YoCCeozfY1
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) July 5, 2023
Teachers unions recently attempted to cover for the learning loss caused by school shutdowns through the COVID pandemic by claiming that it helped students achieve equity.
“The whole thing about learning loss I found funny is that, if everyone was out of school, and everyone had learning loss, then aren’t we all equal? We all have a deficit,” said Melvin Hostman, executive board member of the Richmond Education Association.
Hostman declined to mention the catastrophic impact learning loss would likely have on students in the coming years. Projections estimated that school shutdowns would likely cost students $70,000 in total lifetime earnings.
Comprehensive data from the Associated Press revealed that the average student lost more than half a year of learning in math and a quarter of a year in reading.
“When you have a massive crisis, the worst effects end up being felt by the people with the least resources,” said Stanford education professor Sean Reardon, who compiled and analyzed the data along with Harvard economist Thomas Kane.
“Test scores aren’t the only thing, or the most important thing,” Reardon said. “But they serve as an indicator for how kids are doing.”
