A landmark review examines whether the U.S. Department of Education, created four decades ago to boost student achievement, has delivered on its mission after receiving hundreds of billions in federal funding. Despite massive investments, stagnant or declining performance in core academic areas like reading and math raises questions about the effectiveness of education policy. Critics argue that decades of federal intervention have failed to produce meaningful gains, while supporters point to broader challenges in measuring progress. The analysis delves into whether structural reforms—or a shift in approach—could finally turn the tide for America’s schools.
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, ...
