U.S. Department of Education

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Department of Education today

2009

The department has 4,100 employees and a budget of $78 billion.

Education spending doubles since 2000

2008

Department of Education spending of $68 billion is more than double the department's spending in 2000 of $33 billion.

America Competes Act adds science subsidies

2007

The America Competes Act creates a range of new science, engineering, and math education programs.

Federal student loan fraud continues

2005

Federal student loan fraud continues at high levels. In one case, owners of a company called the CSC Institute steal $4.3 million of the $13 million it receives in Pell grants.

Major fraud uncovered in the department

2002

A major fraud operation is uncovered in the Department of Education. A career employee forged more than $600,000 of false overtime claims and steals hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of the de...

Huge volume of student loans in default

2001

The GAO reports that there are $22 billion of student loans in default.

New programs for school repairs

2000

Congress creates new subsidy programs to pay for school repairs and renovation.

Reading Excellence Act adds subsidies

1998

The Reading Excellence Act funds reading classes as well as efforts to reduce classroom sizes in the elementary schools.

Taxpayer Relief Act adds education tax breaks

1997

The Taxpayer Relief Act creates new federal tax breaks for education. Today, there are 16 special income tax breaks for education, including breaks for college expenses, education facility bonds, a...

Republicans promise to abolish the department

1996

As in 1980, the Republican Party platform in 1996 includes the promise to abolish the Department of Education. However, the party’s presidential candidate, Bob Dole, is a poor salesman for such lim...

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

1994

President Bill Clinton signs into law the Goals 2000: Educate America Act to promote "national education goals," building on ideas proposed by President Bush. Clinton also signs into law the Improv...

Student Loan Reform Act creates direct loans

1993

The Student Loan Reform Act creates federal direct lending for student loans as an alternative to subsidized private loans.

Student loan programs plagued by frand

1991

A Senate investigation finds that federal student loan programs are "plagued with fraud and abuse at every level," costing taxpayers billions of dollars. The investigation accuses the Department o...

Bush calls for national goals

1990

Reversing President Reagan’s decentralization efforts, President George H. W. Bush pushes for the creation of "national goals" for the K-12 schools. Increasingly, the federal government is not just...