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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would initiate the closure of the U.S. Education Department. This move aligns with his long-standing pledge to dismantle the agency, which has frequently been criticized by conservative factions. The details of the announcement were shared by a White House official who requested anonymity prior to the formal declaration.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has characterized the Department of Education as an entity riddled with inefficiencies and overly influenced by liberal ideologies. However, the feasibility of completely eliminating the department is uncertain, as it was established by Congressional action in 1979, making a legislative process essential for any definitive closure.
According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the forthcoming executive order will instruct Secretary Linda McMahon to undertake all necessary actions to facilitate the department’s closure and transfer educational authority back to state governments, while still ensuring the continued provision of essential services and programs that American citizens depend upon.
Under the current administration, significant reductions have already been implemented within the department, resulting in a workforce cut by half and considerable reductions in key divisions such as the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which plays a crucial role in tracking academic achievements across the country.
Advocates for public education have expressed concerns that the dissolution of the Education Department could exacerbate existing inequalities in the American education system. Critics argue that this initiative could deprive millions of children of equitable educational opportunities. The National Parents Union articulated their discontent, stating, “This isn’t fixing education. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot. And we’re not about to let that happen without a fight.”
The White House has not detailed which specific functions or responsibilities of the department would be reassigned or eliminated altogether. During her confirmation hearing, McMahon indicated a commitment to preserving essential initiatives, such as Title I funding for economically disadvantaged schools and Pell grants aimed at assisting low-income college students, expressing her wish for a more efficient Education Department.
The agency currently administers substantial financial resources to schools and oversees a staggering $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. A significant portion of the department’s operations is focused on financial management, which includes directing extensive aid programs and monitoring civil rights adherence in educational settings.
Federal funding constitutes a small segment of public school budgets, approximately 14%, typically allocated to auxiliary programs that support marginalized student populations. Conversely, institutions of higher education often rely heavily on federal funding through research grants and financial aid for students.
For decades, the notion of abolishing the Department of Education has been a recurring topic among Republicans, who argue that it serves to waste taxpayer funds and intrude on local decision-making about education. This sentiment has gained traction as conservative parents’ groups increasingly demand more control over educational practices.
Trump has reiterated his promise to shut down the department and transfer its responsibilities back to the states, portraying it as a bastion of “radicals, zealots, and Marxists” who overreach through regulation.
Interestingly, while Trump has sought to enforce aspects of his policy agenda through the Education Department, exerting pressure on institutions regarding issues like transgender athletes’ participation in sports and diversity initiatives, there are doubts over whether he possesses the authority to close the agency without Congressional intervention. Previous attempts to propose the elimination of the department met significant resistance in Congress.
During Trump’s initial term, then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos aimed to drastically reduce the department’s budget and advocated for a restructuring of K-12 funding into block grants, granting states greater flexibility. However, she faced pushback even from some Republican lawmakers.
The future of the Education Department remains uncertain amid ongoing debates about the direction of educational policy and governance in the United States.
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abcnews.go.com