A Lot of Kids Aren’t Alright

The WSJ editorial board looks at recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores for American students and sees a glass half full:

Pop quiz: Which has been most important in reducing poverty over time: a) taxes, b) economic growth, c) international trade, or d) government regulation?


We know what our readers would say. But lest you think American young people are slouching toward serfdom, you’ll be pleased to know that 53% of U.S. high school seniors also answered “b.” The latest version of NAEP asked this question, among others on economics, and the results will not please members of the Socialist International, or for that matter the Senate Finance Committee.

Good news, I suppose, considering that our kids are mostly taught by employees of a government monopoly. But 53% is only a bare majority. Even if you add in the 8% of students who picked trade, you only get to 61% of students giving an answer that’s remotely plausible. 


So here’s the half‐​empty analysis: Some 38% of high school seniors think either that taxes or government regulation has been the most important factor in reducing poverty over time.


That’s just plain scary. Add it to the very, very long list of reasons why we need to reform our government‐​mandated system of government youth indoctrination and support educational freedom through tax credits.