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 to boost student achievement. Despite the historic spending since its 1980 founding, 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 and analysts are now examining whether the approach to funding and reform has aligned with measurable improvements for students nationwide. The findings could reshape debates over how best to support America’s schools 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, ...
