President Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education after 45 years, transferring control to states and local communities in what he calls a historic move to improve America’s failing education system.
Key Takeaways
- Trump signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Education and return control to state and local governments.
- The move follows decades of increased federal education spending with declining student performance in reading and math.
- Essential education programs will be redistributed to other federal agencies to ensure uninterrupted services.
- Trump cited international examples showing large populations don’t hinder educational reform when authority is properly distributed.
- The order aims to empower parents and communities in making decisions about their children’s education.
Historic Executive Order Eliminates Department of Education
President Trump has taken decisive action to dissolve the Department of Education through an executive order signed this week. The measure aims to return control of education to state and local authorities after decades of centralized federal oversight. Trump called the action “historic” and “45 years in the making,” referencing the department’s founding in 1979. The executive order initiates a process to close the department while ensuring that essential educational services continue uninterrupted through redistribution to other federal agencies.
During the signing ceremony, surrounded by schoolchildren to emphasize the focus on education, Trump outlined his rationale for dismantling the department. The order represents a fundamental shift in how education policy will be implemented in the United States, moving away from what Trump described as a failed one-size-fits-all federal approach. The transition process will involve careful planning to maintain critical functions while eliminating what the administration considers unnecessary bureaucracy.
Poor Results Despite Record Spending
A key justification for the executive order is what Trump characterized as the Department of Education’s poor performance despite significant funding increases. The president highlighted that the United States spends more on education than any other nation, both in total and per pupil, yet consistently ranks near the bottom internationally in student achievement. According to statistics cited during the announcement, only one-third of American eighth-graders are proficient in reading and just a quarter are proficient in math.
“After 45 years, the United States spends more money on education by far than any other country and spends, likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country. And it’s not even close. But yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success.” – President Trump
Trump pointed to the department’s budget growth as evidence of fiscal inefficiency. Since its establishment, the Department of Education’s budget has ballooned from approximately $14 billion to over $100 billion annually. The administration argues that despite this massive increase in funding, educational outcomes have stagnated or declined, suggesting that money alone cannot solve America’s educational challenges without structural reform in how education policy is created and implemented.
Returning Power to States and Communities
The central philosophy behind the executive order is returning educational authority to states, local communities, and parents. Trump emphasized that education decisions should be made by those closest to students rather than distant federal bureaucrats in Washington. This approach aligns with conservative principles of limited federal government and maximum local control, particularly in areas not explicitly delegated to federal authority in the Constitution.
“Today, we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making. In a few moments, I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the federal Department of Education once and for all. And it sounds strange, doesn’t it? Department of Education, we’re going to eliminate it. And everybody knows it’s right, and the Democrats know it’s right.” – President Trump
Trump dismissed concerns that America’s large population makes educational reform more challenging, citing international examples where educational authority is successfully distributed to regional and local levels. The executive order reflects a belief that states can serve as “laboratories of democracy” in education policy, allowing for innovative approaches tailored to specific regional and community needs rather than following standardized federal guidelines. This localized approach aims to encourage creativity and responsiveness in addressing educational challenges.
Sources:
- Trump Dismantles Department of Education With New Executive Order
- Trump signs executive order to dismantle the Education Department
