A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment—totaling trillions in taxpayer funds—have failed to deliver on the core mission of the Department of Education, which was created to boost student achievement. Despite the staggering financial commitment since its founding, national test scores in reading and math remain stagnant or have declined, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of current education policies. Critics argue the system may be misaligned with its original goals, while supporters point to broader challenges in measuring progress. The findings prompt a national conversation on whether structural reforms or alternative approaches are needed to address persistent gaps in learning outcomes.
The Department of Education was established in 1980 with the promise of improving education outcomes for America’s students. $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars later, national test scores in reading, ...
