What exactly does the U.S. Department of Education do — and how does it decide where the money goes? In this episode, Dr. Dilara Sayeed sits down with Dr. Catherine Pozniak to unpack how education budgets are built, who sets the priorities, and what it takes to fund public schools across the country. We explore the mission of the Department of Education, how it supports states and students, and why funding decisions are about more than just numbers. Whether you're an educator, student, parent, or curious citizen, this conversation sheds light on the real work happening behind the scenes — and why it matters.