A landmark review reveals that decades of massive federal investment—totaling over $3 trillion 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 establishment of the Department of Education in 1980. Critics question whether the current approach to education funding and policy is achieving its intended goals, while policymakers and researchers debate the most effective strategies to boost student achievement. The analysis examines whether structural reforms or alternative funding models could better address persistent gaps in learning 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, ...
