What are the main criticisms of US education quality?

Expanded question:
Considering persistent international rankings where the U.S. often lags behind other developed nations in subjects like math and science, along with widening socioeconomic and racial achievement gaps, what are the main criticisms leveled against the quality of K-12 and higher education in the United States? These critiques frequently include concerns about inconsistent curriculum standards, inadequate school funding disparities among districts, variable teacher quality and support systems, overemphasis on standardized testing, outdated instructional methods, poor preparedness for STEM careers compared to global peers, declining college affordability and student debt crises, questions about institutional accountability at all levels, and whether U.S. schools adequately prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving modern economy. What are the most frequently cited substantive criticisms that highlight systemic, pedagogical, or structural failings in the U.S. education system?

The main criticisms of US education quality are:

1. Persistent Achievement Gaps: Significant disparities in academic performance persist along socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic lines. Students from low-income families and minority groups (particularly Black and Hispanic students) consistently score lower on standardized tests, have lower graduation rates, and are underrepresented in advanced coursework and higher education compared to their White and affluent peers.
2. Funding Disparities: Public school funding is heavily reliant on local property taxes, leading to vast differences in per-pupil spending between wealthy and poor districts. Wealthy districts can offer smaller class sizes, newer facilities, more experienced teachers, extensive programs (arts, AP, STEM, extracurriculars), and greater resources, while underfunded districts struggle with overcrowding, outdated materials, and limited offerings.
3. Inequitable Teacher Distribution: High-poverty schools and districts often have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified, experienced teachers. These schools frequently face higher teacher turnover rates, leading to instability and reliance on less experienced or alternatively certified educators, impacting instructional quality.
4. Outdated or Inadequate Curriculum: Critics argue that curriculum can be too broad ("a mile wide and an inch deep") in some subjects, lacking depth and rigor. There are concerns about the lag in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education compared to global competitors, including insufficient focus on computer science and modern technological literacy. Social studies curricula also face debates about bias and coverage.
5. Overemphasis on Standardized Testing: Critics argue that the high-stakes testing environment leads to "teaching to the test," narrowing the curriculum to focus only on subjects and skills tested (often math and reading), neglecting arts, physical education, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, creativity, and project-based learning. Testing also creates stress for students and teachers.
6. Teacher Quality and Turnover: Concerns exist about teacher preparation programs, ongoing professional development effectiveness, and the compensation and working conditions that lead to high rates of teacher burnout and turnover, particularly in high-need schools. This instability negatively impacts student learning.
7. College and Career Readiness: A significant percentage of high school graduates require remedial courses upon entering college, indicating they are not fully prepared for post-secondary education. Similarly, there are concerns that graduates lack the specific technical skills and soft skills (problem-solving, communication, collaboration) needed for 21st-century careers.
8. Bureaucracy and Inefficiency: Complex layers of administration (federal, state, district) can lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies, compliance burdens on teachers and administrators, slow adoption of innovative practices, and resources being diverted from classroom instruction to administrative costs.
9. Declining International Rankings: While methodological debates exist, US students have consistently ranked below students in many other developed nations (e.g., members of the OECD) on international assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in areas like math, reading, and science, raising concerns about global competitiveness.
10. Insufficient Focus on Early Childhood Education: Access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs remains uneven across the country. Critics argue that the lack of universal access to early childhood education hinders school readiness and exacerbates achievement gaps before formal schooling even begins.