Final answer:
The 1983 report, 'A Nation at Risk,' warned of serious deficiencies in the U.S. education system, particularly in math and science, resulting in students being unprepared for the global marketplace and highlighting achievement gaps.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1983 Department of Education report, A Nation at Risk, warned about a growing educational crisis in the United States. The report indicated that American students were falling behind their international counterparts in critical areas such as math and science.
It pointed out that the educational system was failing to prepare students to compete in the global marketplace, which was a sobering assessment for the nation. Additionally, there were significant educational achievement gaps between White students and students of color, as well as excessive dropout rates, especially among minority students.
President George W. Bush later addressed these issues through the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which aimed to close the achievement gap and improve educational outcomes by introducing a system of accountability through standardized testing and providing options like charter schools.
However, reports suggested that schools were manipulating graduation and dropout rates, and many students eligible for free tutoring were not receiving help.
Funding was also below the Congress-authorized levels. This led to reforms under President Obama's administration, with efforts to raise academic standards and better track students' and teachers' performance.