Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Federal Education Department

The White House has confirmed new steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This action was announced on Tuesday. It fulfills a major campaign promise to conservative supporters.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to advance the closure. The goal is to shrink the federal government’s role in schooling. Control over education will shift back to individual states.

New Federal Partnerships Formed to Absorb Key Functions

The dismantling process involves forming new inter-agency partnerships. According to a White House press release, the Departments of Labor, Interior, and Health and Human Services will absorb some functions. This new approach aims to streamline federal education activities.

It also seeks to reduce administrative burdens. Officials state the change will better serve students and grantees. The plan focuses on maintaining legally required programs.

Returning Educational Control to State Governments

This move is a significant shift in U.S. education policy. The federal department was created by Congress in 1979. Its main roles include administering college loans and enforcing civil rights in schools.

It also provides federal funding for needy children and students with disabilities. However, federal law prohibits it from controlling school curriculum or staffing. More than 85% of public school funding comes from state and local governments.

Republican critics have long seen the department as bureaucratic overreach. They argue for a smaller federal government. This action underscores that commitment to state power.

The plan to dismantle the Department of Education marks a historic restructuring of American education. Its implementation will fundamentally alter the relationship between federal and state education authorities.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the Department of Education’s main purpose?

The department administers federal student loans. It also tracks student achievement and enforces civil rights laws in schools across the nation.

When was the Department of Education created?

Congress established the Department of Education in 1979. It has been a cabinet-level agency for over four decades.

What will happen to student loan programs?

Federal student loan programs will continue. Their administration will be transferred to other federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor.

How will this affect local school funding?

Most school funding comes from state and local sources. This change is not expected to alter that primary funding structure significantly.

Why does the administration want to close the department?

The administration views the department as unnecessary federal overreach. It believes states should have primary control over education policy.