Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Federal Education Department, Shifting Power to States

The Trump administration has formally begun dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. This action was confirmed by the White House. It fulfills a major campaign promise to conservative supporters. The goal is to shrink the federal government’s role in education.

Authority over schooling will be returned to state and local governments. According to Reuters, this is a significant step toward decentralizing American education policy.

Executive Action to Close Federal Department

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to close the department. He stated the move would return education control to the states. The order directs the closure to the “maximum extent” allowed by law.

The department is now forming new partnerships with other federal agencies. These include the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. The goal is to transfer the department’s current functions.

A White House press release outlined the new approach. It said the changes would streamline federal education activities. The plan also aims to reduce administrative burdens on schools.

Long-Standing Conservative Goal Achieved

The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979. Its main roles include administering student loans and enforcing civil rights laws. It also provides federal funding for needy children and students with disabilities.

Republican critics have long targeted the department. They see it as a symbol of federal overreach and bureaucratic waste. This move underscores a push for a smaller federal government.

Federal law already prevents the department from controlling school curriculum. State and local governments provide most public school funding. This shift aims to solidify their primary role in education decisions.

The move to dismantle the Department of Education marks a pivotal shift in U.S. education policy, prioritizing state control and fulfilling a core conservative objective. This structural change will fundamentally alter the federal government’s relationship with the nation’s schools.

Thought you’d like to know

What does the Department of Education currently do?

The department administers federal student loans and financial aid. It also enforces civil rights laws in schools and tracks national student achievement data.

How will this change affect public school funding?

Federal funding for programs supporting low-income and special needs students will continue. The administration and oversight of these funds will be transferred to other agencies or states.

Can the President unilaterally close a federal department?

No, Congress created the Department of Education through legislation. The executive order seeks to dismantle it to the maximum extent possible without new Congressional action, primarily by redistributing its functions.

What is the immediate impact on students and teachers?

There is no immediate change for students and teachers. The process of transferring functions to other agencies will be complex and will take time to implement.

Why do some groups want to close the Department of Education?

Critics argue it represents unnecessary federal bureaucracy. They believe education is a state and local responsibility, not a federal one.