These two graphs are copied from Power Line Blog on September 30.  The conclusion is obvious.  As enrollment is remaining relatively stable, the cost of school employees is skyrocketing.  As the spending per student increases, test scores remain stagnant.  The United States Department of Education officially began operating in May of 1980.  Judging from the graphs below, it really does not look as if putting education in the hands of the federal government has been helpful.