Education Secretary Linda McMahon awkwardly whiffed on a question about America’s education ranking at a Senate budget hearing Tuesday.

During the hearing, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) began his remarks with a single question to McMahon: “What’s the definition of insanity?”

“Doing the same thing over and over again,” McMahon responded, “and expecting a different outcome.”

Mullin then followed that up by asking McMahon where the U.S. ranked in reading and math compared to other countries in 1979. The secretary was way off with her answer:

MULLIN: What were we ranked in reading and math in 1979?

MCMAHON: I’m sorry, what?

MULLIN: What were we ranked, nationally, in math and reading in 1979?

MCMAHON: We were very, very low on the totem pole.

MULLIN: We were no. 1 in 1979. Today–

MCMAHON: Oh, in 1979. I’m sorry. OK.

MULLIN: In 1979, we were ranked no. 1. Today, in reading, we are ranked 36th. In mathematics, we’re ranked 28th.

Mullin eventually circled back to his “definition of insanity” opener, arguing that what America’s been doing over the last few decades hasn’t worked. Because of that, the senator commended McMahon’s Education Department for its willingness to impose drastic changes.

Tuesday’s gaffe continued an unfortunate trend for the Secretary of the Department of Education. During an April conference, she repeatedly referred to AI as “A-1” while talking about the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom.

Watch above via C-SPAN.

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