President Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise that could reshape America’s education system.
Top Takeaways
- Trump plans to use executive actions to dismantle the Department of Education
- The initiative aims to make government more accountable and empower parents
- Poor literacy and math rates among American students cited as reasons for change
- Complete elimination of the department requires Congressional approval
- The move could shift oversight of the $1.6 trillion student loan program
Trump’s Bold Move to Reshape Education
President Donald Trump is reportedly taking decisive steps to fulfill a key campaign promise: dismantling the Department of Education. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that the administration is moving forward with plans to use executive actions to restructure the federal agency, signaling a major shift in the government’s role in education.
The initiative is part of Trump’s broader effort to make the government more accountable to taxpayers and address longstanding concerns about the effectiveness of federal education spending. Leavitt pointed to alarming statistics to justify the proposed changes, highlighting that only 40% of fourth graders are reading at a proficient level despite significant federal investment in education.
Empowering Parents and States
A central tenet of Trump’s education reform plan is to empower parents to have more influence over their children’s education. This aligns with his previous actions, including executive orders to remove federal funding from K-12 schools teaching critical race theory and to support school choice. The administration’s goal is to shift control of education back to the states and local communities, reducing federal oversight.
“President Trump campaigned on that promise, and I think the American people can expect him to deliver on it,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The executive order being prepared is expected to shrink the Education Department significantly. While Trump cannot legally shut down the department without Congressional approval, he may use this order to reduce its size and pressure Congress for its eventual elimination. This strategy reflects Trump’s desire to return control of schools to states, a position he has consistently maintained.
The Department of Education's budget for fiscal year 2025 is $82.4 billion, with an average salary of $112,164, 56% higher than the average government employee.
Since its formation in 1979, the US has gone from 1st to 34th in OECD ranking.pic.twitter.com/8s2gRXHCPc
— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) February 3, 2025
Challenges and Implications
Dismantling the Department of Education is no small feat. Established in 1979, the department manages a budget of $241.7 billion for fiscal year 2024, representing 2% of the federal budget. It oversees federal student aid, provides funding to local schools, and enforces civil rights laws in educational settings. The department’s closure could potentially shift oversight of its $1.6 trillion student loan program to another agency or even the private sector.
The move would also impact approximately 4,200 employees currently working for the Department of Education. While Trump’s plan has garnered support from those who believe in minimizing federal involvement in education, it has also raised concerns about the potential consequences of such a significant restructuring of the education system.
As the administration prepares to move forward with this ambitious plan, the nation watches closely to see how it will reshape the landscape of American education for generations to come.
