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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise. For years, Trump and many conservative leaders have criticized the agency as wasteful and overly influenced by liberal ideologies. His latest move aims to shift control over education from the federal government to individual states and local communities.
The order calls for the Education Secretary to take “all necessary steps” to close the department, though the specifics of how this will unfold remain unclear. It’s important to note that dismantling the department may not be an easy task—it was created by Congress in 1979, and doing away with it would likely require new legislation. While the White House assures that the department will maintain certain critical functions, such as funding for low-income schools and supporting children with disabilities, much of its other work is expected to be cut back.
This latest action follows a broader strategy by Trump’s administration to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department. The agency’s workforce has already been slashed in half, and there have been significant cuts to key offices, including the Office for Civil Rights.
Trump argues that local and state governments will be better at managing schools than a distant federal agency. At a signing ceremony, he stated, “It’s doing us no good,” referring to the department’s impact on academic performance. He also claimed that returning control to the states will lead to better results.
However, opponents see things differently. Critics, including Democrats and civil rights advocates, warn that eliminating the department could hurt vulnerable students. Federal programs like Title I, which provides funding for low-income schools and protections for children with disabilities, rely on the department’s oversight. The NAACP condemned the move, calling it “a dark day for millions of American children.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has promised to continue essential services, but the road to dismantling the department is not without its hurdles. Many are questioning whether Trump’s plan will succeed, and if it does, how it will impact education in America moving forward. Even some of Trump’s allies are unsure about the feasibility of closing the department without congressional action.
*With information from AP News
