Is the US education system in a state of collapse, and what caused it?

Medieval – Mind

I was reading this thread about the collapse of the American education system, and it made me wonder a few things: Do you all agree that the American education system is currently in a state of collapse? If not, what is your definition of collapse? And if it is, when did that collapse begin – or rather, what was the straw that broke the camel’s back, if you will?