I can't help but wonder with all the cuts in education, how has that effected student outcomes.

By Maureen Downey

Despite a national effort (click here) to raise high school rigor, the SAT, treated as a key barometer of student progress, refuses to budge.
The average national score on the high-stakes college admissions test has remained virtually unchanged over the last five years.
The U.S. high school graduating class of 2013 scored on average 1498, the same as last year, out of possible 2400. (Critical reading: 496, Math: 514, Writing 488.)...

I think today's learning underestimates the power of book learning vs computer learning. Computers are fine for enhancing ability, but, I don't believe they should be the primary source of any learning. It is too easy to cheat, especially in math, when learning from a computer. Computers can enhance the classroom and reinforce learning, but, there isn't anything like a teacher, a book and plenty of homework.

Thomas C. Frolich and Michael B. Sauter
24/7 Wall St. Staff Writers 
2:55 p.m. EDT September 25, 2013

In some states, per-pupil spending fell more than 20% since recession. (click here)

Since the recession began, K-12 education spending has declined dramatically in some states. In Alabama and Oklahoma, per-pupil spending fell by more than 20%.
While the majority of state school systems have cut spending between fiscal year 2008 and the upcoming fiscal year 2014, the cuts have been much more severe in some places than in others. According to the latest school spending data compiled by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), seven states have cut per-pupil spending by more than 15% in that time....

I never took the ACT. I was in the Class of '73 where most of my peers and I earned over 500s in all our SAT scores. We did well in high school and college. When I look at most statistics about learning in the USA there is always this negative dip in reading competency about 1995. It was in 1995 when the PC came into majority of American households. In all sincerity, I believe computers have hurt learning.

Mary Beth Marklein
USA TODAY
12:06 a.m. EDT September 26, 2013
...In a report out today, (click here) the non-profit College Board says just 43% of SAT takers in the high school class of 2013 earned a score that indicates they will succeed in the first year of college. That percentage has remained "virtually unchanged" for at least five years, said Cyndie Schmeiser, chief of assessment for the College Board, based in New York.

Last month, an annual report by the Iowa-based non-profit ACT found that just 26% of high school graduates in the class of 2013 met college readiness benchmarks in all four of the subjects its tests cover: English, reading, math and science. That's up from 25% last year and 23% five years ago, but far too low, ACT chief executive officer Jon Whitmore said. "As a nation, we must set ambitious goals and take strong action to address this consistent problem."...