A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment—totaling trillions in taxpayer funds—have failed to deliver meaningful improvements 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 sheer scale of spending has translated into lasting educational gains, while policymakers debate whether structural reforms or alternative approaches are needed to address persistent challenges in K-12 education. The findings underscore a growing divide between federal education policy ambitions and measurable outcomes for students nationwide.
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, ...
