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 unprecedented spending since its 1980 founding, national test scores in reading and math remain stagnant, 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 could spark a national debate over how best to allocate resources and reform the nation’s education approach.
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, ...
