The Looming $90 Trillion Cost of Learning Loss — and the Policy Solutions to Address It

Author/s
Eric A. Hanushek
Christy Hovanetz
Published Date
November 10, 2025
Publication
The 74
Type

America’s economic future is being shaped in its classrooms. Unfortunately, latest results on the Nation’s Report Card show too many students are falling behind in reading and math — the foundation of productivity and prosperity.

These scores are not just numbers; they signal lost earning potential for today’s children and weakened competitiveness for tomorrow’s workforce.