As the nation pays its respects to President Jimmy Carter lying in state in Washington, D.C., this week, Americans reflect on his remarkable life and enduring legacy. Carter, who passed away shortly before the new year at the age of 100, is perhaps best remembered in the education community for his transformative decision to establish the U.S. Department of Education in 1979. By elevating education to a federal cabinet-level priority, Carter sparked both admiration and controversy, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the nation's education system.