It does and for far simpler reasons than most public policy problems. The problem is that we changed how we teach kids to read. We switched from Phonics (whic

It does and for far simpler reasons than most public policy problems. The problem is that we changed how we teach kids to read. We switched from Phonics (which works) to something called "whole language learning" which doesn't. The DOE pushed this change starting in the late 90s. It was a disaster and because of politics nobody in education was willing to admit it was a disaster. When LA and MS switched back to Phonics about 2-3 years ago, the trend reversed. But now there are a lot of people in ed admin who have a years supply of egg on their face. Guess how they are reacting? Politics destroys everything it touches...