President Donald Trump is advocating for the immediate closure of the U.S. Department of Education, signaling a significant shift in the management of educational policy.
Breitbart reported that Trump's proposal suggests that dismantling the federal department could lead to improvements in the United States' educational performance on a global scale.
Trump strongly criticized the nation's current educational standing and argued that state-run education could elevate U.S. rankings while decreasing operational costs.
He noted that the U.S. is ranked between 38th and 40th globally in education, despite having the highest expenditure per student. He spotlighted the discrepancy between spending and performance, calling for a complete overhaul.
Trump highlighted the inefficiencies in the U.S. educational framework, comparing it unfavorably to other countries. "Look, the Department of Education is a big con job," he stated, alluding to the perceived ineffectiveness of the department despite substantial spending.
He pointed out that the high expenditure has not resulted in proportionate improvements in educational outcomes.
This is not the first time Trump has voiced a desire to eliminate the department. He again reiterated his support for returning educational control to individual states, suggesting that local governance might be more effective. Trump's past remarks about prioritizing state autonomy in educational decisions align with these recent comments.
Trump's criticisms included comparisons to international educational systems, which he regards as superior. He mentioned countries such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and China as examples the U.S. could emulate in performance. "Norway, Denmark, Sweden, I hate to say it — China, as big as it is, it's ranked in the top five," he noted, underscoring the competitive edge these countries have in global education rankings.
The president's proposal extends to an evaluation of states' capabilities to manage schools. Trump confidently estimated that 35 to 37 U.S. states have the potential to perform as well as, or better than, Scandinavian countries in educational achievement. This belief stems from his strong support for allowing states to handle their educational systems independently.
"I say send it back to Iowa, to Idaho, to Colorado," Trump asserted, emphasizing his conviction in state-run education's potential. His comments reflect a broader vision where states could tailor educational policies to better suit their unique demographic needs and challenges.
In keeping with his advocacy for school choice, Trump expressed a belief in the power of competition within the educational sector. He stressed the importance of providing families with various schooling options as a means of driving improvement and innovation.
The potential dismantling of the Department of Education would have affected even its leadership. Trump originally intended for Linda McMahon, a nominee for the department, to oversee its winding down and elimination.
"I believe strongly in school choice, but in addition to that, I want the states to run schools, and I want Linda to put herself out of a job," he claimed.
McMahon, appointed to lead the department, was expected to manage it with an eye towards scaling back federal oversight, ultimately rendering her position obsolete. Despite these plans, the Department has continued to operate into the current administration.
Trump's proposition has sparked extensive debate regarding the future direction of education in the U.S. While some support the move towards increased state control, arguing it could lead to more efficient and effective policies, others express concerns about potential disparities in educational quality across states.
