I have a Doctorate in Education. I am retired from 27 years in public education covering kindergarten thru 4 year university.
Federal money has destroyed the power of public schools by focusing so much on testing.
Primarily it created the perception that money solves problems. It does not completely.
The only area where I have observed a Dept success firsthand is in Special Needs Education. The mass majority of states do not have the funds to offer the individual and particular classroom needs that ADA demands. Yet, Congress can handle any legislation needed to provide aide….Not a wasteful, over bloated dept.