The Republican Party ’s Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy , drew attention to America’s education crisis this week, citing troubling statistics on student performance. “75% of 8th graders in America aren’t proficient in math, and the average student in China is four years ahead of the average US student. It’s time to get serious about fixing K-12 education ,” he wrote on X.
Ramaswamy’s statement followed a viral post by Collin Rugg, which highlighted China’s completion of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world’s tallest, finished in under four years. One user responded by pointing out that America once executed projects of similar ambition, underscoring a time when the country stood toe-to-toe with global leaders.
A system under strain
Ramaswamy’s comparison raises fundamental questions about why the US is falling behind in core academic skills. Latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the nation’s report card, shows a sustained decline in student performance across multiple subjects.
In 2024, twelfth-grade reading and math scores dropped to historic lows. 32% of seniors scored below the “basic” level in reading, struggling to extract meaning from texts. In mathematics, 45% of students performed below basic proficiency, the highest rate since 2005. Only one-third of seniors were deemed ready for college-level math, down from 37% in 2019. Eighth-grade science scores similarly declined, with the achievement gap between high- and low-performing students reaching a record high.
Experts note that while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling, the downwards trajectory predates 2020. According to the Associated Press (AP), Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM learning at the Museum of Science in Boston, emphasized that attributing the decline solely to the pandemic would be incomplete. Shifts in reading habits, shorter attention spans, and increased screen time have all contributed to the slide. Carol Jago, associate director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA, pointed to the reduction in assigned reading. AP has quoted her saying, “To be a good reader, you have to have the stamina to stay on the page, even when the going gets tough.”
Government response and debate
Education Secretary Linda McMahon attributed the decline to systemic weaknesses, noting that despite billions spent on K-12 programs, the achievement gap continues to widen. She supported efforts to give states more control over education funding, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader approach. House Democrats, however, warned that dismantling the Department of Education could exacerbate the problem. According to AP, representative Bobby Scott of Virginia stated that removing federal oversight “will only deepen the achievement gaps identified by this assessment.”
The assessment also revealed emerging challenges in student engagement and gender disparities. Girls experienced steeper declines in science scores, reversing prior progress, while fewer eighth graders participated in inquiry-based learning activities essential for understanding scientific concepts.
A call to action
Ramaswamy’s warning underscores the urgency of addressing these trends. The nation must reconsider how it structures K-12 education. From curriculum design to teaching methods and resource allocation, a comprehensive approach is needed to prepare students for a world in which global competition is relentless and foundational skills are non-negotiable.
The US once matched the pace of global innovation and infrastructure. Today’s statistics suggest that restoring that position will require bold, sustained efforts — efforts that move beyond rhetoric to tangible reforms in classrooms, teaching standards, and student support systems. For Ramaswamy and others calling for action, the question is no longer whether reform is needed, but whether the nation can muster the political will to implement it.
75% of 8th graders in America aren’t proficient in math & the average student in China is 4 years ahead of the average U.S. student. It’s time to get serious about fixing K-12 education. https://t.co/tf2xFFtIwa
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) October 5, 2025
Ramaswamy’s statement followed a viral post by Collin Rugg, which highlighted China’s completion of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world’s tallest, finished in under four years. One user responded by pointing out that America once executed projects of similar ambition, underscoring a time when the country stood toe-to-toe with global leaders.
A system under strain
Ramaswamy’s comparison raises fundamental questions about why the US is falling behind in core academic skills. Latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the nation’s report card, shows a sustained decline in student performance across multiple subjects.
In 2024, twelfth-grade reading and math scores dropped to historic lows. 32% of seniors scored below the “basic” level in reading, struggling to extract meaning from texts. In mathematics, 45% of students performed below basic proficiency, the highest rate since 2005. Only one-third of seniors were deemed ready for college-level math, down from 37% in 2019. Eighth-grade science scores similarly declined, with the achievement gap between high- and low-performing students reaching a record high.
Experts note that while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling, the downwards trajectory predates 2020. According to the Associated Press (AP), Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM learning at the Museum of Science in Boston, emphasized that attributing the decline solely to the pandemic would be incomplete. Shifts in reading habits, shorter attention spans, and increased screen time have all contributed to the slide. Carol Jago, associate director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA, pointed to the reduction in assigned reading. AP has quoted her saying, “To be a good reader, you have to have the stamina to stay on the page, even when the going gets tough.”
Government response and debate
Education Secretary Linda McMahon attributed the decline to systemic weaknesses, noting that despite billions spent on K-12 programs, the achievement gap continues to widen. She supported efforts to give states more control over education funding, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader approach. House Democrats, however, warned that dismantling the Department of Education could exacerbate the problem. According to AP, representative Bobby Scott of Virginia stated that removing federal oversight “will only deepen the achievement gaps identified by this assessment.”
The assessment also revealed emerging challenges in student engagement and gender disparities. Girls experienced steeper declines in science scores, reversing prior progress, while fewer eighth graders participated in inquiry-based learning activities essential for understanding scientific concepts.
A call to action
Ramaswamy’s warning underscores the urgency of addressing these trends. The nation must reconsider how it structures K-12 education. From curriculum design to teaching methods and resource allocation, a comprehensive approach is needed to prepare students for a world in which global competition is relentless and foundational skills are non-negotiable.
The US once matched the pace of global innovation and infrastructure. Today’s statistics suggest that restoring that position will require bold, sustained efforts — efforts that move beyond rhetoric to tangible reforms in classrooms, teaching standards, and student support systems. For Ramaswamy and others calling for action, the question is no longer whether reform is needed, but whether the nation can muster the political will to implement it.
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