Buy who's ranking? Certainly not by mine. The RNC and DNC think they're doing great with our education system. "No Child Left Behind" and "Every Child Succeeds" was a good thing by them.
......and, of course, they both fail for the same reason. Education is reduced to a "one size fits all" approach that holds back the bright students as it is all tailored to the dull.
Hard solve really...public education. Cater to the smarter and disenfranchise the average? Aim for the average and bore the smart?
Focus on the needy...knowing that their contributions to society will be minimal?
Maybe start by raising teachers pay? A lot.
That's just academics....nevermind socialization....with many parents wanting the free babysitting, but not the liberal indoctrination.
Homeschooling can be great, if the parents put in the immense effort and investment in time...most don't.