President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order calling for the dismantling of the US Education Department, fulfilling a campaign promise to eliminate the agency due to perceived wastefulness and liberal ideology.
Driving the news: The Education Department, established in 1979, has long been a target for conservatives, with Trump aiming to return education authority to the states and reduce the size of the department.
- The executive order will direct Secretary Linda McMahon to take necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department while ensuring continued service delivery to Americans.
- Despite the planned shutdown, critical duties of the department, such as managing federal student loans and Pell grants, will still be handled by a smaller team. Other responsibilities, like civil rights enforcement, will also continue, although specific details were not provided.
State of play: Democrats and critics argue that Trump’s plan is illegal and dangerous, raising issues of civil rights enforcement and the historical context of public school segregation.
- Supporters of Trump’s vision for education welcome the move, touting increased autonomy for states, communities, and parents in tailoring education to meet the needs of individual students.
- The Department of Education currently oversees significant federal funding for schools and student loans, with its functions extending to managing educational aid programs and civil rights enforcement.
