Cultural Marxism Caused the School-to-Prison Pipeline

The “school-to-prison pipeline” is a reality—but not for the reason some would lead you to believe. American students are falling behind on the world stage according to new testing data. While teachers’ union leaders and woke administrators get rich, children are receiving a substandard education and lack the ability to choose their school.

The school-to-prison pipeline is an idea of the Left claiming non-white students are unfairly expelled and arrested at a higher rate than other students. This alleged racism is used to explain the disproportionate representation of minorities in prisons. There is no hard evidence to support these claims, but there is data showing American public education is failing students—which may be the real reason for the school to prison pipeline. U.S. students are stuck in a monopoly of inferior government education—which disproportionately impacts the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Lowering the bar in education to fulfill the "equity" narrative of equal outcomes for all has created a generation of young adults unprepared for college and the workforce. Studies show that two-thirds of 4th graders who cannot read proficiently will end up in jail or on welfare. National reading scores in 2022 dropped compared to 2019 for 4th graders—public schools are certainly contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study collects data on students in grades 4 and 8 worldwide, and the 2023 results are alarming. American students continue to fall more behind every year.

Chart created using data from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

Not only are test scores dropping for American students every year, but they are falling behind their global peers. In 2011, students in 8th-grade math were ranked 9th in the world. In 2023 they dropped dramatically to 22nd. Countries outperforming the U.S. include South Korea, Norway, Japan, Taiwan, England, Ireland, and Italy. 

For the last decade, the primary language pushed in government schools isn’t English, but “equity.” Every program and curriculum must have an “equity emphasis.” The term is defined as providing equal outcomes for all students which has led to a common practice of lowering the bar to achieve those equal outcomes. 

In many school districts across the nation, the bar has been lowered due to new grading programs such as “Fair and Equitable Grading Practices.” In 2017, when Democrats were in charge of Virginia Beach Public Schools, teachers were told they couldn’t give zeros for work not done and a grade of 50 percent was the floor—even if a student didn’t turn in any work. Extra tasks were forced on teachers because they were required to make every effort to get students to turn in their work. This included forcing teachers to use their lunch break and planning periods to oversee students' make-up work. Rather than the burden of accountability being placed on the student and parents, it was placed on teachers. Yet the highly paid teachers' union leaders focus on racist equity narratives rather than teacher working conditions.

These "equitable" grading practices only prove to mask students' poor performance and inflate grades. In 2022, graduation rates from public schools were at an all-time high of 87 percent, but the ACT test for college admissions shows a dramatic decline in scores. Public schools continue to create grade inflation to give the false appearance of success to the detriment of children and the nation.

This cultural Marxism has been costly to American taxpayers without a positive return.

(READ MORE: The Department of Education is Even Worse Than You Think)

It's Not About the Money

In the last three years, the U.S. Department of Education spent over $1 billion on race-based recruiting and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and trainings. Spending on government schools is at an all-time high—$16,272 per pupil average in 2022—the second-highest amount per pupil in the world among 40 developed nations. Yet American student achievement is in decline while other nations spend less and perform better. South Korea repeatedly outperforms the United States but spends nearly $2,000 less per pupil.

The amount of administrative overhead in public schools is astounding. From 2000 to 2019 there was an 88 percent increase in public school district administrator positions, but only an 8 percent growth in students and 9 percent growth in teachers.

Credit: Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Education Department

Loudoun County Public Schools is just one example of administrative bloat. In 2020 its communications department had a budget of $1.3 million which just four years later more than doubled to $2.7 million. The department director pulled in a whopping $251,000 salary plus benefits and moving expenses. Loudoun’s controversial superintendent, Aaron Spence, is one of the highest-paid in the nation at $440,000 plus benefits in 2024. In Spence’s district, state standardized test scores show a dramatic drop in reading, history, math, and science from 2015 to 2023. Yet administrators continue to bring in the big bucks while students suffer.

The National Education Association—the nation's largest teachers’ union—is no exception to excessive salaries for its administrators. In 2023, the union compensated 16 of their leaders with over $300,000 including its executive director, Becky Pringle, who was given an eye-popping $575,000. These executives report only working an average 37.5-hour work week. Yet not only are students declining in academic achievement but there is a national shortage of teachers. Class sizes are on the rise and teacher burnout is real. Ultimately, the only winners in public education these days are the highly paid executives.

The only way to save the sinking ship is to create competition for government schools so they are forced to improve. Families need options to get out of a failing education monopoly. Parents must demand school choice options and let tax dollars follow the student rather than following a zip code. Otherwise, the school-to-prison pipeline will continue.

(READ MORE: Virginia’s Teachers’ Union Mourns the Election Results in Email to Members)