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The federal influence on education reemerged prominently during the civil rights movement and the Cold War, as rising global competition prompted policymakers to contemplate a federal role in education. The launch of the modern Department of Education in 1979 saw bipartisan support despite initial resistance, as concerns over America's competitiveness led to the adoption of more federal oversight in educational standards.
Despite significant financial allocations aimed at improving education, Papola asserts that the outcomes have been disappointing. The overall spending on education has increased drastically over recent decades without corresponding improvements in student performance on standardized tests.