Department of Education

The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

• While the United States continues to face increased economic competition from other countries and from technological advances and changing population demographics, not all U.S. students are receiving the education they need to be successful in this environment.  In 2006, American 15-year-olds ranked 25th in math and 21st in science among 30 industrialized nations, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Figure: 15-Year-Old Students' Mathematics Literacy in 2006

• The rising cost of attending college has heightened concerns that underserved populations may be precluded from attending college or opt to attend schools that may not align well with their needs.
  

  Full Report of GAO-08-245 (PDF, 29 pages)

• With recent instability in credit markets, a number of lenders have reduced or ceased their participation in loan programs, prompting concerns about the ability of the federal government's student loan program to fill this void.