A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment—totaling over $3 trillion—have failed to deliver meaningful improvements in core academic performance, as national test scores in reading and math remain stagnant or decline. Critics question whether the Department of Education’s long-standing mission to boost student achievement has been met, despite its expansion since its 1980 founding. The findings underscore a growing debate over the effectiveness of federal education spending and its impact on learning outcomes. Full analysis examines whether structural reforms or alternative approaches could better address persistent gaps in student success.
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, ...
