Overview:
Donald Trump signed an executive order to transfer education oversight to individual states, initiating a process to dismantle the DOE.
Today, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to transfer education oversight to individual states. The order initiates a process requiring congressional approval to eliminate the department fully.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released a statement following the announcement, calling the executive order a “history-making action” that will “free future generations of American students and forge opportunities for their success.”
“Education is fundamentally a state responsibility,” McMahon stated. “Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states to take charge and advocate for and implement what is best for students, families, and educators in their communities.”
While the department’s closure is not immediate, the executive order directs McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to facilitate the transition. The administration has emphasized that vital education funding will continue for K-12 students, students with special needs, and college borrowers, despite concerns from opponents who argue that federal oversight is necessary to ensure equitable education opportunities.
Critics of this move have been swift, citing concerns for vulnerable students and rural communities. “Decimating, moving or eliminating core Department programs, such as IDEA funding and enforcement for students with disabilities, and Title I resources for districts serving high numbers of students from limited income families, would be catastrophic for students, schools and communities across the country,” said Education Law Center Executive Director, Robert Kim. “Our most vulnerable students would lose opportunities for an inclusive, high-quality education, as well as protections to ensure they can access those opportunities.”
AFT President Randi Weingarten responded to Donald Trump’s forthcoming executive order attempting to eliminate the federal role in education, citing a poll that indicated most American people don’t want. “See you in court.”
Supporters of the move argue that eliminating the Department of Education will reduce bureaucracy and allow educators to focus on classroom instruction rather than compliance with federal mandates. McMahon echoed these sentiments: “Teachers will be unshackled from burdensome regulations and paperwork, empowering them to get back to teaching basic subjects.”
McMahon, confirmed by a 51-45 vote earlier this month, stated in an email to staff titled ” Our Department’s Final Mission “that she would work to return education oversight to the states and reduce federal-level bureaucracy before reducing the department’s workforce by 50%.
In 1980, Congress established the Department of Education as a Cabinet-level agency. Today, ED operates programs that touch on every area and level of education. The Department’s elementary and secondary programs annually serve nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million students, attending roughly 98,000 public and 32,000 private schools. Department programs also provide grant, loan, and work-study assistance to more than 12 million postsecondary students.
The decision is expected to spark legal and political challenges, as critics contend that federal oversight is essential to maintaining national education standards and protecting vulnerable student populations. However, McMahon insists that the administration will work through Congress to ensure a “lawful and orderly transition.”
With this executive order, the Trump administration has taken a major step toward reshaping the federal government’s role in education, setting the stage for what could be a contentious battle over the future of American schools.
