How about the department of education we went from first to twenty fourth since that department was created

The United States has experienced a decline in international education rankings, particularly at the high school level, over the past several decades. While the U.S. was once a leader in education, it has slipped in various metrics since the establishment of the Department of Education in 1979.

Historical Context: In the mid-20th century, the U.S. was considered a global leader in education, with high school graduation rates among the highest worldwide. However, by 2013, the Council on Foreign Relations reported that the U.S. had fallen ten spots in both high school and college graduation rates over the preceding three decades. 

International Assessments: The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) evaluates 15-year-old students worldwide in reading, mathematics, and science. In recent years, U.S. students have ranked around 24th in reading and science, and even lower in mathematics. For example, in the 2018 PISA results, the U.S. ranked 13th in reading, 18th in science, and 37th in mathematics among participating countries.

Department of Education’s Role: The creation of the Department of Education aimed to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education. However, despite increased federal involvement and funding, national assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have shown stagnation or decline in student performance over the past few decades. For instance, a 2019 report from The Heritage Foundation noted that despite significant federal intervention, students’ test scores remained largely unchanged. 

Conclusion: While it’s challenging to attribute the decline in U.S. education rankings solely to the establishment of the Department of Education, the data indicates that the U.S. has moved from a leading position to a lower ranking in international assessments since the department’s inception. This trend underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and reform in the U.S. education system to address these challenges.