It still is. Public education in this country is a dismal failure. Johnny can't read and Susie can't spell. Willie can't write and Alice can't add. Teacher competency is down.
Administrative effectiveness is down.
Student advancement is down. Test scores are down. Everything to do with our public school system is down everything, that is, except crime, drug abuse, illicit sex, and the cost to taxpayers. As many as 90 million adults in this country are functionally illiterate. An additional 35 million are alliterate they can read a few basics with difficulty, but that is about all.