President Trump has delivered on his promise to dismantle the Department of Education, signing a historic executive order that will shift educational control back to states, while critics question the constitutionality of this sweeping change.
Quick Takes
- Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the federal Department of Education after 45 years of operation
- The president cited poor educational outcomes despite the US spending more per pupil than any other country
- Essential education programs will be redistributed to other federal agencies during the transition
- The order aims to return education control to states, local communities, and parents
- Trump dismissed concerns about reform challenges in a large nation by pointing to successful international education models
Historic Executive Order Eliminates Education Department
In what he described as a “historic action,” President Trump has signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Education, fulfilling a longstanding Republican goal. The signing ceremony, attended by school children, marks the beginning of a process to dismantle the federal education bureaucracy that has existed since 1979. Trump’s order outlines specific steps for winding down the department while ensuring that essential educational services continue uninterrupted. The plan includes redistributing necessary programs to other agencies and transitioning control of education policy to state and local governments.
Trump emphasized the practical rationale behind this decision, pointing to decades of underwhelming results despite enormous financial investments in education. He specifically highlighted statistics showing that American students rank poorly in international comparisons of academic achievement, particularly in reading and math proficiency. According to the president, these disappointing outcomes persist despite the United States spending “more money on education by far than any other country” and more per pupil “than any country, and it’s not even close.”
Returning Education Control to States and Communities
The core principle driving this executive order is the belief that education decisions should be made at the state and local levels rather than by federal bureaucrats in Washington. This approach aligns with traditional conservative values that favor decentralized governance and local control. Trump’s order specifically calls for empowering parents, teachers, and communities to develop educational approaches tailored to their specific needs and values. This represents a significant philosophical shift from the federally-directed education policies that have dominated in recent decades.
“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. And I hope they’re going to be voting for it because, ultimately, it may come before them. But everybody knows it’s right, and we have to get our children educated. We’re not doing well with the world of education in this country, and we haven’t for a long time.” – President Trump – Source
During his remarks, Trump addressed concerns that America’s large population makes educational reform particularly challenging. He dismissed this notion by pointing to international examples of successful educational systems in countries with diverse and substantial populations. The president suggested that these models demonstrate how decentralized approaches can work effectively even at scale. Critics may question whether these international comparisons are valid given the unique cultural, historical, and demographic factors that influence education outcomes across different nations.
Department’s Growth and Effectiveness Questioned
A key justification for eliminating the Department of Education is what Trump characterized as its ballooning budget coupled with disappointing results. The department’s funding has increased substantially since its creation, growing to approximately $75 billion annually according to the administration. Despite this significant financial investment, national education metrics show that American students continue to lag behind many international counterparts in core academic subjects. This disconnect between spending and outcomes has fueled longstanding conservative criticisms of the department.
“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 – Source
The executive order represents the culmination of decades of Republican calls to abolish the Department of Education. Trump noted that conservatives have long advocated for this move, stating, “History has proven them right. Absolutely right.” The department was originally established under President Jimmy Carter, and Republican platforms have periodically included proposals to eliminate it since that time. This action fulfills a campaign promise made by Trump and addresses a priority for many in his conservative base who have opposed federal involvement in education policy.
Sources:
- Trump Dismantles Department of Education With New Executive Order
- Trump signs executive order to dismantle the Education Department
