The Department of Education was established in 1980 with the stated goal of improving education outcomes for American students. Despite $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars spent since its founding, national test scores in reading and other subjects have not shown the promised improvement. The article examines whether the department's existence has delivered on its original mission.


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, ...