Executive Move Targets National Education, Shifts Control to States

Man holding signed document with three visible flags

President Trump signs executive order to dissolve the Department of Education, marking the beginning of a major shift in federal education policy that will return control to states despite expected legal challenges.

Quick Takes

Trump has directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing Republican goal
The executive order doesn’t immediately close the department as congressional approval is still required
Critical programs like Pell grants, Title I funding, and resources for disabled children will be preserved and redistributed to other agencies
The White House cited poor student achievement despite $3 trillion in federal education spending since 1979
Democrats, teachers unions, and progressives are expected to mount legal challenges against the decision

Trump Makes First Move on Campaign Promise

In a decisive action fulfilling one of his key campaign promises, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” This move represents the first concrete step toward eliminating a federal department that has been a target of conservative criticism since its establishment in 1979.

During the signing ceremony, Trump personally addressed Secretary McMahon, “Linda, you’re going to be presiding over something that’s so important,” directed Trump. The President emphasized that while the department would be dismantled, certain “useful functions” would remain intact, particularly Pell grants and other essential student services. The administration has made it clear that this restructuring isn’t about eliminating educational support but rather redistributing control to state and local authorities who, they argue, better understand the needs of their students.

#Liberal #Meltdown : #PresidentTrump signs #executiveorder dismantling the #DeptofEducation at the Federal level, bringing it back to the State level. The #DOE clearly hasn’t worked. Despite a 600% spending increase, #reading and #math #competency scores have been going down. pic.twitter.com/QP9wpZ8nPX

— Sn00pdad (@sn00pdad) March 20, 2025

Justification and Expected Challenges

The White House has justified this dramatic shift by pointing to what they describe as poor returns on investment in federal education. According to administration officials, despite spending over $3 trillion since 1979, American students continue to underperform internationally. Statistics cited include concerning proficiency rates in math and reading among U.S. students and disappointing rankings in global education assessments. The administration believes returning education authority to states will promote the kind of educational excellence seen in countries like Denmark, Norway, and Finland.

The executive order is expected to face significant resistance. Democrats, teachers unions, and progressive organizations are already preparing legal challenges. The department’s current responsibilities are substantial, including managing $1.6 trillion in student loans and distributing billions in funding for K-12 schools nationwide. The administration plans to present a formal proposal to Congress for eliminating the department, but with narrow Republican majorities, securing approval may prove challenging.

Transition Plan and Important Programs

According to administration officials, the dismantling process will involve transferring key responsibilities to other federal agencies. The Treasury and Labor Departments are expected to take over some functions, while others may be converted into block grants with fewer federal conditions. The department has already seen significant staffing reductions, with employees decreasing from 4,133 to 2,183 since Trump took office, representing nearly half of its workforce.

Critical services that many Americans rely on will continue during this transition. Federal Pell grants, which provide financial aid to low-income undergraduate students, will be preserved. Similarly, Title I funding, which supports schools with high percentages of children from low-income families, and resources for children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will remain intact. The administration has emphasized that these programs will be redistributed to appropriate agencies to ensure continuous service.

Historical Context and Future Implications

The effort to eliminate the Department of Education has deep historical roots in Republican policy goals. Since its creation during Jimmy Carter’s administration, conservatives have questioned the necessity and effectiveness of federal control over education. Previous attempts to diminish or eliminate the department include calls from former President Ronald Reagan and a proposal during Trump’s first term to merge it with the Labor Department, neither of which succeeded.

This executive order represents the most concrete action to date toward this long-standing goal. While it doesn’t immediately eliminate the department, it sets in motion a process that could fundamentally reshape American education policy for generations. Education advocates are closely monitoring potential impacts on civil rights enforcement in schools, which has traditionally been a significant function of the department. Some GOP proposals suggest transferring this responsibility to the Department of Justice, potentially resulting in fewer investigations.