Even 2023's Clouds Had a Silver Lining.

In 2023, the pandemic exposed the flaws in American education from kindergarten through graduate school. The closure of schools during the pandemic caused children to fall behind, and politicians and teachers unions in states like New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California kept schools closed for longer than necessary. However, the silver lining is that the pandemic prompted 17 state legislatures, mostly led by Republicans, to pass laws giving parents more choice in their children's education. Additionally, the exodus of people from blue states like New York, Illinois, and California has allowed parents to move to states with more favorable education policies. The article also highlights the issues within higher education, such as the dominance of political monocultures and the suppression of speech. However, there is hope for reform as parents take a more active role in shaping education and university donors become more involved. [Extracted from the article]