The Fiscal Commission's Omission | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute: Commentary

The Fiscal Commission's Omission | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute: Commentary: "'At the same time, we must invest in education, infrastructure and high-value research and development to help our economy grow, keep us globally competitive and make it easier for businesses to create jobs.'

Did the panel even consider whether decades of multibillion-dollar federal 'investments' in education have actually accomplished anything? Inflation-adjusted federal spending per pupil has exploded by almost 200 percent since 1970. Yet test scores have remained essentially flat.

Might federal involvement in education be a reason why this country produces such mediocre educational results despite massive taxpayer 'investments'? The commission should have addressed that question before deciding that federal taxpayers 'must' continue funding the Department of Education."