A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment—totaling trillions in taxpayer funds—have failed to deliver meaningful progress in core academic performance, as national test scores in reading and math remain stagnant or decline despite the Department of Education’s long-standing mission to boost student achievement. Critics question whether the system’s structure has hindered rather than helped learning outcomes, while educators debate the most effective ways to allocate resources moving forward. The findings underscore a growing divide between policy intentions and measurable results in K-12 education.
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, ...
