A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment in education—totaling trillions of dollars—have failed to deliver meaningful gains in student performance, as national test scores in reading and math remain stagnant or decline. Critics question whether the Department of Education’s approach has effectively addressed persistent achievement gaps, while supporters argue systemic challenges demand sustained funding. The analysis examines whether the current strategy aligns with its original mission of transforming educational 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, ...
