French schools K-12 and university do not have better education outcomes than New York state, despite having nearly double the taxes. 53% of New York State residents go to a SUNY university for free and the rest pay a maximum of $7,000 a year on average.

French education budget also accounts for teacher pensions. I don't think that's the case for NY. So it's somewhat apples and oranges.

New York state pays teacher pensions through the New York State Teacher Retirement System. About $8.5 billion a year. It's also protected under the NY State Constitution.

Large cities like Paris and Lyon have a good budget and amenities. You have to go outside the rich centers to see how schools are being failed. You can't look at Louis Le Grand and tell yourself the situation is fine.

Then again that's just what France's like. It's a very Paris-heavy country in many respects.