The Real Problems Destroying Education: An Interview with Bryan Wetzel — Thrive Global
“We’re not just failing individual students; we’re failing an entire generation by allowing this broken system to continue. If we truly want to see change, we need to hold decision-makers accountable, give teachers the autonomy to teach effectively, and stop passing students who aren’t ready. Education isn’t about politics-it’s about preparing our children for the real world.” — Bryan Wetzel
The state of education in the United States has become a growing concern, with declining student performance, teacher burnout, and systemic inefficiencies making it harder for students to succeed. Many schools are facing a crisis where students are being pushed through the system without mastering the necessary skills, leaving them unprepared for college and the workforce. Meanwhile, teachers are struggling with restrictive policies, lack of administrative support, and growing behavioral issues in the classroom. With so many challenges at play, the question remains: how do we fix an education system that seems to be failing both students and educators?
In this interview, I sit down with Bryan Wetzel, author of The Real Problems Destroying Our Education, to uncover the biggest issues plaguing our schools today. With years of experience working in media and educational content development, along with firsthand insights from thousands of teachers, Bryan brings a unique and informed perspective on what’s really happening inside America’s classrooms. Together, we discuss the reasons behind the decline in education, the policies that are hurting rather than helping, and the practical solutions that can lead to meaningful change. If you care about the future of education, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
Thank you so much for joining us, Bryan! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Absolutely! My background is in media, television, and video production, but over time, I transitioned into educational content creation. I co-founded a company called Scoobs.com, where we developed learning materials for K-12 students. Through my work, I visited countless schools, worked with thousands of teachers, and witnessed firsthand the systemic issues in education. My wife is also a teacher, so I’ve had an up-close look at the struggles educators face. Over time, I realized that there were fundamental problems that weren’t being addressed, and I wanted to bring awareness to these issues, which led me to write The Real Problems Destroying Our Education.
What would you say are the biggest problems plaguing our education system today?
The most significant issues fall into three major categories: lack of accountability from decision-makers, teachers being restricted from actually teaching in the way they know works best, and students being pushed through the system without truly learning. Many school districts have adopted policies where students cannot fail, which means kids are graduating without basic proficiency in subjects like math and reading. Additionally, teachers are being forced to follow strict curriculums that change frequently, leaving them unable to provide consistency in their lessons. If we don’t fix these problems, we are setting up future generations for failure.
There’s been a lot of talk about declining student performance. What do the numbers actually say?
The statistics are alarming. In cities like Chicago and Baltimore, there are high schools where not a single student is proficient in grade-level math. In some districts, only 6% of students are meeting reading and writing standards. The real tragedy is that these students are expected to go into the workforce or higher education completely unprepared. We’re not just failing individual students; we’re failing an entire generation by allowing this to continue.
Many parents are turning to homeschooling as an alternative. What’s your take on that?
Homeschooling has grown significantly over the last 15 years, and for good reason. Many parents aren’t homeschooling because they want to-they’re doing it because they feel they have no choice. They’ve lost confidence in the public education system. If schools were properly funded, structured, and run with student success in mind, fewer parents would feel the need to take their child’s education into their own hands. The rise in homeschooling should be seen as a wake-up call that our schools need serious reform.
One of the most controversial topics in education right now is school choice. Do you think school choice and vouchers help or hurt public schools?
I believe school choice is essential. Parents should not be forced to keep their children in underperforming schools simply because of where they live. The argument against school choice is that it takes money away from public schools, but the reality is that these schools receive funding based on attendance. If parents are moving their children elsewhere, the real question should be, “Why?” Instead of opposing school choice, public schools should focus on improving so that parents want to keep their kids there. Competition, as we’ve seen in some studies, actually pushes schools to perform better.
Teachers seem to be leaving the profession in record numbers. Why do you think that is?
The number one reason teachers leave isn’t pay-it’s student behavior. Teachers are struggling with disruptive classrooms and feel they don’t have the support from administrators to properly discipline students. The second biggest reason is a lack of autonomy. Many teachers are being micromanaged, told exactly how to teach, and forced to implement new curriculums that change every few years, often without reason. The third reason is, of course, pay, but it’s not the primary issue. Teachers want to feel like they’re making a difference, and when they’re not given the tools to do their job effectively, they leave.
There’s been a big push to remove gifted programs in schools. What are your thoughts on that?
Removing gifted programs is a huge mistake. The reasoning behind it is that it makes other students feel bad, but in reality, it’s just another example of our education system lowering the bar instead of raising it. Every student has strengths-some excel in math, some in the arts, some in athletics. Instead of punishing gifted students by eliminating their programs, we should be expanding opportunities for all students to find their strengths.
Should schools be stricter about passing and failing students?
Absolutely. Right now, there are school districts that won’t give a student anything lower than a D, even if they don’t complete assignments. Some states don’t even grade math correctly anymore-students get credit for “completion,” not for correct answers. We’re setting kids up for failure in life. If they don’t learn accountability in school, how will they handle college or a career? Schools need to enforce real academic standards, and students should have to meet them.
How has technology impacted education, and do you think it’s helping or hurting students?
Technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides incredible resources for learning-educational videos, online courses, and instant access to information. On the other hand, it has also created major distractions. Many students spend more time on social media than on schoolwork, and in some cases, they use AI or online tools to bypass critical thinking and problem-solving. Schools need to strike a balance, using technology as a tool rather than allowing it to replace essential learning skills like reading, writing, and analytical thinking.
What do you think the future of education looks like if these problems aren’t addressed?
If we continue down this path, we’re going to see an even wider gap between prepared and unprepared students. More parents will opt for private schools, homeschooling, or charter schools, further draining resources from public schools. College enrollment rates will drop because students won’t meet entry requirements, and employers will struggle to find skilled workers. Education isn’t just about passing tests-it’s about preparing young people for real life. If we don’t make meaningful changes soon, we’re going to see the consequences ripple through every industry and community.
What are some solutions that you offer in your book?
One of the biggest solutions I propose is giving teachers back their autonomy. They know what works best in their classrooms. I also suggest creating school district review boards made up of teachers, not just administrators, to evaluate curriculums and spending. We also need to bring back alternative programs-gifted programs, special education programs, and skill-based learning opportunities should all be expanded. Most importantly, schools need to stop passing students who aren’t ready. We’re setting them up for failure later in life.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can visit my website, bryanthomaswetzel.com, where I share updates, research, and links to my books. I’m also active on social media, engaging in discussions about education reform.
Bryan, this has been such an insightful conversation. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge, research, and solutions for the issues plaguing our education system. The challenges we’re facing are real, but discussions like these are the first step in creating meaningful change.
Thank you, Stacey. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these important issues. Education affects us all, and I hope that by bringing awareness to these problems, we can start working toward real solutions.
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Originally published at https://community.thriveglobal.com on February 13, 2025.
