In 2021, federal, state, and local governments spent $745 billion on K-12 education, costing each household in the U.S. an average of $5,764. Over the average U.S. lifespan of 76 years, this amounts to $438,000 per household. Since 1960, the average inflation-adjusted spending per public school student has quadrupled. Yet, objective measures suggest that the U.S. public education system often fails to equip children with skills or character needed for success.