The article, ‘A Nation at Risk’ tries to provide insight into the state of education in the United States between the 1980s and 2000 and the level of mediocrity within the education system. A large economic downturn was recorded in 1982. The then United States president, Ronald Reagan express concern over the low standards in the public school system and indicated that the nation was at risk. The low standards within the public system put the nation at risk. The repercussion of this is that the confidence placed in the education system by the public was destroyed as the states began experimenting with a “free market’ system for education. The issue signaled a shift from the fight against equity to excellence. Although the article explained that the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reported that schools were not suffering but were only showing a steady and slow incline and many educators also disagreed with the president’s comments. The article also reflects the fear or opinion of the authors as they stated that the economic security of a nation depends on education reform. Before the reform commence, the authors suggested more courses in traditional subjects, longer school year, longer school day, and more homework.  

The low standards in the public school led to pushing for reform from government “monopoly” on the education system to more competition and a free-market system of education. The new or proposed system would allow parents to choose and also allow schools to provide the best product or amenities that will improve learning. To measure the term product, it was done through high-stakes testing.  During the reform process, schools that does not meet the fill seats or bottom line were shut down.  In terms of student achievement, this effort or approach helped improve schools in East Harlem District as they went from last place to middle of the pack in the mid-1970s. This was because of the competition that was injected into America’s urban school systems.

The article revealed that expanding the school choice resulted in 4 alternatives to traditional public schools. The first alternative was Magnet schools which were smaller focus-option public schools. The Magnet is introduced as another choice or alternative to traditional or existing public schools. In 1974, the first magnet school was opened in East Harlem as part of the plan to save the poor school. The magnet school grows in popularity in the 1980s. The second alternative was charter schools. These are public schools that were run by teachers and overseen by the state board of education. The third alternative is school vouchers, which allow the funding of private school attendance with public education dollars. The last alternative is homeschooling.  Low-income students in Cleveland, Ohio were the first to use vouchers in 1996 to attend religious schools before the Wisconsin Supreme Court allow Milwaukee students to use them in 1996. East Harlem was the first magnet school to open in 1974.  

The article also shows how subsequent US presidents build on the legacy of the Reagan era as President Clinton declared that all states should adopt high national standards in 1997. Also, all fourth grader should be tested in reading while all eighth grader must be tested in math to ensure the standards are met. All these approaches help push for higher and measurable results.

The article also highlights the role of President George W. Bush in following the legacy of the past presidents. In 2001, the president stated that “Educational excellence for all is a national issue and at this moment is a president priority”.