A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal spending—totaling trillions of dollars—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 current approach to education funding and policy has achieved its intended goals, while educators and policymakers debate the most effective strategies to address persistent gaps in learning. The analysis examines whether structural reforms or alternative investments could better align spending with measurable progress in student 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, ...
