President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at dismantling the US Department of Education. This move is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to overhaul the department, with a focus on shifting educational authority from the federal government to individual states. The executive order is likely to reduce federal intervention in education, emphasizing state and local control.
The decision to sign the order today comes after months of discussions and previous attempts to overhaul the department. According to multiple reports, the order will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take immediate steps to close down the Education Department. As reported by Forbes, the executive order will also focus on reducing the regulations and paperwork that the department requires, which, according to the White House, detracts from the primary goal of schools – teaching students.
Details of the executive order
The executive order is expected to target what the administration calls “unnecessary regulations” within the Education Department, aiming to streamline processes and reduce the federal government’s role in education. The order will push for “uninterrupted delivery” of key services, including federal funding for students with disabilities, funding for low-income schools, and student loan payments, all of which will remain unchanged, as reported by USA Today.
Furthermore, the order includes a significant shift in how federal funds are distributed. The White House emphasized that McMahon will work on creating a plan to bring federal funds “closer to states, localities, and more importantly, students.” However, the executive order will cut funding for programs that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which the Trump administration has criticized.
Challenges to dismantling the Education Department
While the executive order will signal a major change in the structure of US education, it faces legal hurdles. According to Forbes, legal experts have pointed out that dismantling the Education Department will likely require congressional approval, as the agency was created by Congress under President Jimmy Carter in 1979. McMahon herself acknowledged in her Senate confirmation hearing that the process would involve significant legislative action to completely eliminate the department.
Despite these challenges, Trump has remained adamant about reducing the federal government’s role in education. As quoted by USA Today, he referred to the Education Department as a “big con job” and emphasized his desire to “drain the education swamp.”