Evaluating Public Schools

For today’s families, evaluating a public high school is no longer just about test scores or graduation rates. In 2026, parents increasingly ask a sharper question: What is the return on investment?

ROI in public education is not about tuition costs. It is about outcomes. Does a school’s academic program meaningfully increase a student’s chances of college success, career readiness, and long-term earning potential?

Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to show that higher levels of education correlate with lower unemployment and higher lifetime earnings. But not all high school pathways equally prepare students to reach those outcomes.

Here is what the latest data and trends reveal about which public high school programs deliver measurable returns in 2026.

Defining ROI in Public High School

Return on investment in a public high school context can be measured through:

• Graduation rates
• College enrollment and persistence rates
• Industry certification attainment
• Dual credit accumulation
• Workforce placement after graduation
• Long term earnings indicators

Families can begin their evaluation by reviewing their state’s graduation trends, such as those outlined in Public School Review’s analysis of public high school graduation rates by state.

However, graduation alone is no longer the benchmark. The strength of a school’s academic pathways often matters more than the diploma itself.

Advanced Placement, AP: College Credit and Academic Rigor

Advanced Placement courses remain one of the most widely available academic accelerators in public high schools.

Why AP Can Deliver Strong ROI

• College credit opportunities
• Weighted GPA advantages
• Demonstrated academic rigor for admissions
• Reduced college

Special Education Services in Public Schools: Rights and Resources

Special education services in public schools are a cornerstone of equitable education in the United States. For millions of students with disabilities, these services provide access to individualized instruction, specialized support, and legal protections that ensure meaningful educational progress.

As of 2026, more than 7.5 million students receive special education services under federal law. While the framework is well established, implementation continues to evolve through updated guidance, inclusive practices, and increased attention to mental health and learning recovery.

This updated guide explains how special education services in public schools work, outlines student rights, and provides practical resources for families navigating the process.

The Legal Foundation: IDEA and Section 504

Two primary federal laws govern special education services in public schools:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

IDEA guarantees eligible students a Free Appropriate Public Education, often referred to as FAPE, in the Least Restrictive Environment. The U.S. Department of Education oversees IDEA implementation nationwide. Families can review the full statute and guidance at theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Section 504, enforced by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, protects students with disabilities from discrimination and ensures reasonable accommodations. Guidance is available through theU.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

While IDEA

School Choice in 2026: What Public School Families Need to Know

School choice continues to reshape the public education landscape in 2026. Across the country, families are navigating open enrollment policies, charter school expansion, education savings accounts, magnet programs, and inter-district transfers. At the same time, traditional public school districts are responding to enrollment shifts, funding adjustments, and increased competition for students.

For parents, the expanding range of options can feel both empowering and complex. This guide explains how school choice works in 2026, how it affects public schools, and what families should consider before making a decision.

What “School Choice” Means in 2026

School choice refers to policies that allow families to select educational options beyond their assigned neighborhood public school. While the term can carry political implications, for most parents it simply means having options within the public education system or through publicly funded alternatives.

Common forms of school choice in 2026 include:

1. Intra-district open enrollment, allowing students to attend another school within their district

2. Inter-district open enrollment, permitting transfers across district lines

3. Public charter schools

4. Magnet schools with specialized academic themes

5. Education savings accounts, or ESAs

6. Voucher programs

The availability and structure of these programs vary by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many states have expanded school choice eligibility in recent years, with some offering broad access to ESAs or open enrollment programs.

For families, the most important step is understanding how these policies operate at the local

Public School Rankings: Are They Accurate?

Each year, families across the country search online for the “best” schools in their area. Public school rankings promise quick answers, sortable lists, and easy comparisons. In a few clicks, parents can view a school’s position within their state, district, or even nationwide.

But are public school rankings accurate? And more importantly, do they tell the whole story?

In 2026, ranking systems are more sophisticated than ever. They draw on standardized test scores, graduation rates, college readiness indicators, and demographic data. Yet despite increased transparency and improved methodologies, school rankings remain an imperfect tool. Understanding how they work, and what they miss, is essential for families making high-stakes decisions.

How Public School Rankings Are Calculated in 2026

Most public school rankings rely on publicly available data reported to state education agencies and the federal government. Much of this information is collected through the U.S. Department of Education’s data systems and standardized testing programs.

Today’s ranking formulas typically include:

• Standardized test scores in math, reading, and science

• Graduation rates

• College readiness indicators, such as AP or IB participation

• Student growth metrics

• Equity measures, including subgroup performance

• Student-to-teacher ratios

For example, organizations such as U.S. News & World Report publish annual K-12 rankings

How Are U.S. Public Schools Doing in 2026?

How are U.S. public schools doing in 2026? The answer is complex. Academic recovery continues, funding remains uneven, enrollment patterns are shifting, and political debates over curriculum and school choice remain intense.

Five years after the pandemic’s most disruptive phase, public schools are no longer in crisis mode. However, they are still navigating the long-term academic and structural consequences. Parents, educators, and policymakers are asking not just whether schools have stabilized, but whether they are improving.

This 2026 update examines academic performance, enrollment trends, funding realities, student well-being, and what lies ahead for the nation’s 49 million public school students.

Academic Performance: Progress With Persistent Gaps

National test data released in late 2025 show gradual improvement, though not a full return to pre-2020 levels. The National Assessment of Educational Progress reports modest gains in fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading compared to 2022 lows. However, scores remain below 2019 benchmarks in most states.

Key 2026 academic trends include:

• Math recovery is stronger than reading recovery.

• Early elementary grades show faster improvement than middle school.

• Achievement gaps by income level and race remain wider than before 2020.

• Chronic absenteeism, while declining, continues to affect learning outcomes.

Many districts are doubling down on high-dosage tutoring, extended learning time, and evidence-based literacy