Editor's Note: This column was co-authored by Sonia Coman.
The United States stands at a critical juncture. Our educational system is failing to produce the highly skilled workforce necessary to maintain our economic and military advantage. A robust, homegrown workforce is not just an economic necessity; it is a matter of national security. Hotly debated, the current overhaul of American education can be key to reversing this crisis. The stakes are high: without a revitalized education system, America risks becoming weak within, undermining our ability to project strength abroad.
China’s rise as a technological and scientific powerhouse is no accident. In 2020, China graduated approximately 3.6 million students in STEM fields, compared to the U.S.’s roughly 800,000. Meanwhile, the U.S. struggles with declining math and science proficiency. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), American 15-year-olds ranked 25th in math and 17th in science globally in 2018, trailing far behind Chinese students.
This gap has real-world consequences. China’s advances in hypersonic weapons, 5G infrastructure, and semiconductor production threaten to outpace U.S. capabilities. To compete, we must cultivate a new generation of American innovators. Importing skilled workers, while a temporary fix, undermines our long-term resilience. It risks dependency on foreign talent, which can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions. A Wall Street friend confided to us that many firms prefer imported talent because they are cheaper and “more obedient.” That, in turn, means that American-born talent has a harder time obtaining lucrative jobs on the Street.
The lack of highly trained professionals is not just an economic issue; it is crippling the U.S. military. Modern warfare depends on cutting-edge technology—cybersecurity, satellite systems, and artificial intelligence. Yet a 2021 report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted shortages in critical roles like cybersecurity specialists and data scientists. While serving at the Pentagon, one of us saw first-hand its lack of first-class IT specialists, a fact bemoaned to her by the general in charge of recruiting such talent. The Navy’s shipbuilding programs face delays due to a lack of skilled engineers. Even the maintenance of advanced systems like the F-35 fighter jet is hampered by a shortage of trained technicians.
If America cannot field a technologically superior military, our deterrence against adversaries diminishes. A strong military begins with a strong education system. Relying on foreign expertise in these sensitive areas is untenable; national security demands a domestic workforce loyal to the country.
The Department of Education, established in 1979, imposed centralized mandates like No Child Left Behind and Common Core, which have shown a mixed track record. One-size-fits-all measures typically stifle innovation and prioritize compliance over excellence. In 2023, despite over twenty years of such federal measures being implemented across the country, only 26 percent of 8th graders scored proficient in math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a decline from previous decades. Closing the Department of Education would return power to the states, where competition can drive better outcomes.
States are already proving this approach works. North Carolina has implemented robust STEM education initiatives, including partnerships with local industries to create apprenticeships and specialized high school programs. As a result, the state’s largest public university has seen a 42 percent increase since 2015. Alabama, similarly, has focused on career and technical education, integrating coding and robotics into its curricula. These states outperform many others in preparing students for high-demand fields.
Decentralization also allows states to tailor education to their unique needs. Silicon Valley in California requires different skills than the manufacturing hubs of Michigan or the aerospace corridors of Texas. By empowering states to set standards and partner with industries, we can create a mosaic of excellence rather than a monolithic system of mediocrity.
To revive our education system, we must not be afraid to embrace competition and competence. Elementary schools should emphasize foundational math and science skills, using hands-on learning to spark curiosity. High schools must expand access to advanced courses like calculus, physics, and computer science. Community colleges, often overlooked, can offer more affordable STEM certifications and degrees.
Partnerships are key. Tech giants like Intel and Boeing, along with smaller firms, can collaborate with schools to design curricula, provide internships, and fund scholarships. Such partnerships ensure students graduate with skills aligned to market needs. Tax incentives for companies that invest in local education can further encourage these efforts.
Alongside STEM, a return to classics is critical to equip American youth to think for themselves. The classics have been vilified as brainwashing our youth into Western-centric conformism. But the classics - in philosophy, history, literature, and the arts, and across multiple cultures - are exceptional examples of existential tensions, life decisions, and history-making changes. Schools and colleges can support a classics foundation that will inspire students to think critically, embrace learning, and draw meaningful connections.
We must also address societal attitudes. Too often, STEM and classics are seen as elitist or hopelessly male-dominated. Teachers, parents, and media should celebrate these disciplines as pathways to opportunity for all students. Highlighting American innovators—past and present—can inspire students to see themselves as part of a legacy of greatness.
Reviving American education requires bold action. Closing the Department of Education is a first step to be paired with policies incentivizing excellence. Governors and legislatures must be held accountable for results, using metrics like graduation rates and job placement. Congress should redirect savings from the Department’s dissolution to defense and infrastructure projects that employ American graduates, reinforcing the link between education and national strength.
By investing in our own people, we reclaim the spirit of self-reliance that built this nation. Training our own skilled workers is not just a policy—it is a declaration of confidence in the American dream.
Tatiana C. Gfoeller is a U.S. diplomat who served in Bahrain, Belgium, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, and as U.S. ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. She has taught political science at Georgetown University.
Sonia Coman co-authored the field-defining book, New Directions in Organizational and Management History (De Gruyter, 2022) and publishes on creativity and strategy in France, Japan, and the U.S. She holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University, where she taught a course on arts and diplomacy.
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