President Donald Trump plans to move forward with an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Education Department, fulfilling a key promise from his campaign. This bold action seeks to shift education oversight to individual states but may require legislative action by Congress, as the department was created by congressional mandate in 1979.
The Associated Press reported that the executive order will task Secretary Linda McMahon with orchestrating the department's closure and transitioning its responsibilities to state governments.
The U.S. Education Department, established to administer federal support for education, handles an array of pivotal functions, including managing federal student loans and distributing aid to educational institutions.
The department's budget significantly contributes to federal student loans, while also providing support for schools and colleges. This financial backbone plays a critical role in funding various programs, particularly those targeting vulnerable student populations.
Previous budget cuts under the Trump administration have already reduced the department's workforce by half and slashed funding for essential offices such as the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences.
The proposal to dismantle the Education Department has sparked considerable debate. Public education advocates express concern that removing the department could leave many students, especially those with disadvantages, without crucial support.
"This isn’t fixing education," warns the National Parents Union, emphasizing that such a move threatens students' fair access to educational opportunities.
Additionally, the department’s responsibilities include enforcing civil rights protections, which is an aspect some lawmakers fear may be jeopardized.
Rep. Bobby Scott has labeled Trump's order as "dangerous and illegal," suggesting it may disproportionately affect low-income students, minorities, and those with disabilities.
Trump and his supporters view the department as an embodiment of ideological bias and inefficiency. The call to dismantle the department echoes a long-held goal among conservatives. Recent support from conservative parent groups has amplified these efforts.
Nonetheless, there remains significant skepticism about Trump's capacity to close the department without congressional cooperation.
Historical efforts for restructuring, such as those attempted by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, faced strong resistance and limited success.
Efforts to close or modify the Education Department have been contentious in the political sphere. While Trump has utilized the department’s regulatory power to enforce policies aligned with his views on issues like transgender athletes and diversity initiatives, its complete closure presents substantial legislative hurdles.
Legislative attempts to revisit the department's future underscore its politically charged nature. Congressional approval, as noted by many, would be a necessary step, given the department’s statutory basis. Without it, any executive action to dismantle the department could face legal challenges.
Tiffany Justice, a supporter of increased state control, argues that reducing federal oversight could unleash innovation, allowing states, communities, and parents to direct educational strategies.
Yet, advocates for maintaining federal educational oversight caution that it plays a vital role in ensuring equitable educational opportunities across all states.
