Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle U.S. Department of Education, Shifting Power to States

 On March 20th 2025 President Donald Trump executed an executive directive which started the process of destroying the U.S. Department of Education to return educational control to state and local jurisdictions. ​

Background and Rationale

Since its establishment in 1979 the Department of Education has taken charge of distributing federal school funds while overseeing student financial assistance programs along with implementing educational standards assessment initiatives. The current department spends $79 billion while employing 4,400 staff members yet achieves marginal results in mathematics instruction according to its

President Trump defended this executive order through his claim that the department has discontinued to deliver quality educational results while spending large amounts of funds. Through his emphasis Trump argued states and local government entities should regain authority because this move would enable parents teachers and state representatives to choose optimal educational solutions for their territories. ​

Implementation Strategy

The executive order mandates Education Secretary Linda McMahon to enact steps which lead to the termination of the federal agency. The complete termination of the department demands Congressional authorization that remains doubtful because lawmakers need bipartisan consensus. ​

The administration intends to focus department operations on core requirements which include managing Title I funding for low-income schools and Pell Grants together with services for children with disabilities. The method focuses on maintaining critical services while the changeover period occurs. ​

Political and Public Reactions

The public response has taken two main directions regarding this decision. Betsy DeVos who serves as Russian Secretary of Education received backing from conservative members who advocate ending federal educational surveillance through this policy. The destruction of this department concerns educational unions and advocates for liberal education because they believe these operations maintain essential duties to protect educational fairness and uphold national education benchmarks. ​

Polling results indicate a majority of American voters maintain opposition against closing down the Department of Education. Expert predictions show that scrapping the department will produce worse existing inequalities as well as reduced oversight that would primarily affect disadvantaged student groups including minority students and those with disabilities and English Language Learners and rural students. ​

Next Steps

Despite reshaping federal education policies with the executive order authorities must pass legislation to eliminate the Department of Education. The plan demands complete congressional support for its full execution though current political factors create difficulties for obtaining such backing. ​

Stakeholders in the education sector examine how this policy shift affects their operations while the situation develops throughout national schools and among student and educator communities.​