Dive Summary:

• A new study released by the Council on Foreign Relations Monday names America's widening socioeconomic achievement gap as the primary culprit in the U.S. education system's slide in global rankings.
• The report shows that the U.S. has fallen 10 spots in both high school and college graduation rates over the last 30 years, largely due to the majority of developed countries investing more per pupil in lower-income schools than the U.S. does.
• According to the CFR, despite the Obama administration's efforts to reform and improve programs serving low-income students, many changes still favor wealthy students who need little help.

From the article:

... “The real scourge of the U.S. education system — and its greatest competitive weakness — is the deep and growing achievement gap between socioeconomic groups that begins early and lasts through a student’s academic career,” wrote Rebecca Strauss, associate director for CFR’s Renewing America publications.

“And while America does spend plenty on education, it funnels a disproportionate share into educating wealthier students, worsening that gap,” she said. ...