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 in 1980 to boost student achievement. Despite the unprecedented spending, new data shows stagnant or declining performance in key areas like reading and math, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of long-standing 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 education strategies moving forward.
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, ...
