Proposal: Transforming the Department of Education into the Department of Education Science

Introduction

Education in the United States faces persistent challenges, with many students struggling to gain foundational skills and knowledge. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), roughly 60% of eighth graders perform below proficiency in mathematics, and nearly one-third do not meet basic reading standards (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2019). On international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the U.S. consistently ranks behind several peer nations in math and science (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], 2019). These indicators underscore the urgent need for a bold, transformative approach to educational research, development, and dissemination.

Rather than continuing to rely on incremental reforms or expanded regulations, this proposal calls for repurposing the current Department of Education into a new federal entity: the Department of Education Science (DES). By shifting regulatory and funding functions to the states and focusing exclusively on advancing the science of learning, the DES can leverage cutting-edge research, open data, and emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—to revolutionize how Americans of all ages learn and prepare for the future.

The Problem

  1. Persistent Achievement Gaps
    Despite various federal and state initiatives, achievement gaps continue to disproportionately affect low-income students, students of color, and English language learners. Over the past decade, national policy changes have not significantly narrowed these gaps, indicating a need for a radically different approach (Reardon, 2019).
  2. Underuse of Data & Research
    Educational research is often inaccessible or disconnected from classroom practice. Insights from neuroscience, cognitive science, and learning analytics frequently remain locked in academia or the private sector, limiting their real-world impact on teaching and learning (Means et al., 2014).
  3. Limited Application of AI
    While artificial intelligence has transformed sectors such as healthcare and finance, its application in education has been sporadic and inconsistent. Many AI-driven tools (e.g., adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems) already exist but are not broadly available—especially to underserved communities (Woolf, 2020).
  4. Disjointed Federal Role
    The current Department of Education oversees a wide array of responsibilities—from grant distribution to compliance enforcement—which dilutes its capacity to focus on long-term research and development of innovative educational methods (GAO, 2020). As a result, federally led R&D in education remains limited relative to other sectors (e.g., healthcare, defense).

The Vision: The Department of Education Science (DES)

A Research-Driven, Technology-Forward Mission

The Department of Education Science (DES) would become a federally supported research and innovation hub, driving evidence-based strategies that enhance learning for all Americans. By transferring administrative and compliance functions to the states, the DES can direct its resources and expertise solely toward advancing the science of learning.

Core Functions of the DES

  1. Rigorous Research & Open Data
    • Fund large-scale, peer-reviewed studies that identify the most effective teaching strategies and learning tools.
    • Maintain open-source databases of research findings, ensuring that educators, parents, and policymakers can easily access and apply the latest evidence.
  2. AI-Driven Solutions
    • Develop and promote AI-powered diagnostic assessments to identify individual aptitudes, learning styles, and knowledge gaps.
    • Offer these tools free of charge to every American, supporting seamless transitions between education, vocational training, and career changes.
    • Collaborate with private tech firms and research institutions to ensure that AI tools are secure, equitable, and continuously improved.
  3. Technology Transfer & Innovation
    • Serve as a national repository of best practices, case studies, and open-source AI models.
    • Provide resources to states, districts, and private innovators, enabling them to replicate successful programs.
    • Act as a facilitator of cross-state knowledge sharing, so breakthroughs in one region rapidly benefit others.
  4. Interstate Collaboration
    • Create a platform for states to exchange data on educational outcomes, strategies, and technology implementations.
    • Foster public-private partnerships and encourage states to pilot new research-driven methods in local contexts.
  5. Public Engagement & Transparency
    • Host national forums and workshops to communicate research findings directly to educators, students, and families.
    • Maintain strong data privacy protocols to protect student information while allowing for large-scale, anonymized analysis.

Benefits and Impact

  1. Empowering States and Local Communities
    • Decentralized Oversight: States gain full autonomy over budget allocations, curricular standards, and compliance matters, freeing them to innovate and respond to local needs.
    • Shared Resources: States can tap into DES research and tools without bearing the full cost of R&D.
  2. Accelerating Innovation in Education
    • Focused R&D: With federal resources directed solely toward research and development, AI-driven personalized learning solutions, neuroscience-informed pedagogy, and other emerging fields can flourish.
    • Open Access: Open-source platforms empower entrepreneurs, school districts, and community organizations to adapt or improve existing tools, driving a culture of continuous experimentation.
  3. Narrowing the Achievement Gap
    • Equitable Access: Free AI-based diagnostic tools and personalized learning modules can help underserved and at-risk students receive targeted support early.
    • Adaptive Education Pathways: Students from diverse backgrounds can discover strengths and career paths previously overlooked in traditional systems.
  4. Economic Growth and Workforce Development
    • Skills Alignment: Research-driven assessments can help workers align their natural aptitudes with in-demand jobs, reducing the skills gap currently costing the U.S. economy billions (Business Roundtable, 2021).
    • Lifelong Learning: Adult learners benefit from personalized retraining programs, promoting continuous skill development in an evolving job market.
  5. Global Competitiveness
    • Leadership in AI and Learning Science: Establishing the DES would signal the U.S. commitment to using emerging technologies for public good, positioning the country as a world leader in educational innovation.
    • Improved International Rankings: By investing in robust, evidence-based instructional methods, the U.S. can improve its performance on assessments like PISA and demonstrate global leadership in research on how humans learn best.

Implementation Strategy

  1. Transition of Existing Functions to States
    • Conduct a structured, multi-year handover of current Department of Education responsibilities (e.g., grants, compliance, student loan programs) to state governments and other federal agencies as appropriate.
    • Maintain or redesign federal funding streams (block grants) so states can allocate resources based on their distinct educational challenges.
  2. Formation of the Department of Education Science
    • Staffed by multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, AI experts, neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists, and education specialists.
    • Governed by a board of scientists, educators, and industry leaders to ensure accountability and transparency.
  3. Open Access and Data Privacy
    • All DES-sponsored research, AI models, and associated data are made open-source.
    • Adherence to strict data privacy standards, including anonymization and compliance with relevant federal and state regulations (e.g., FERPA, COPPA).
  4. Accountability and Evaluation
    • Conduct annual performance audits, focusing on research impact, technological advancements, and user adoption rates.
    • Publish yearly reports outlining major research findings, pilot initiatives, and collaborative projects with states and private partners.

Conclusion

Transforming the Department of Education into the Department of Education Science (DES) represents a bold reimagining of the federal role in education. By shedding regulatory and grant-making responsibilities, the DES will focus solely on the science of learning, harnessing rigorous research and emerging technologies to provide open, AI-enhanced educational tools accessible to all.

Such a focused federal entity can catalyze innovation, reduce achievement gaps, and empower states to manage their education systems with greater flexibility. In turn, learners of every age and background would gain access to state-of-the-art assessments and adaptive learning pathways.

Adopting this model positions the United States as a global leader in educational research and technology—strengthening not only academic performance and workforce readiness, but also the nation’s capacity for innovation in a rapidly changing world.

References

  • Business Roundtable. (2021). Addressing the Workforce Skills Gap. Retrieved from https://www.businessroundtable.org/
  • GAO. (2020). K-12 Education: Administration Could Improve Oversight of Federal Grant Programs. U.S. Government Accountability Office.
  • Means, B., Padilla, C., & Gallagher, L. (2014). Use of Evidence-Based Practices in After-School and Expanded Learning Programs: A Report to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
  • National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). The Nation’s Report Card: 2019 Mathematics & Reading. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/
  • OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 Results (Volume I). OECD Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/pisa/
  • Reardon, S. F. (2019). Educational Opportunity in Early and Middle Childhood: Using Full Population Administrative Data to Study Variation by Place and Age. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences.
  • Woolf, B. P. (2020). AI and Education: The Reality and the Promise. ACM Computing Surveys, 53(4).