Trump to sign order abolishing federal education department, says White House

US President Donald Trump is set to sign an order on Thursday to close the Department of Education. The order will transfer control of education to individual states and stop funding for programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or gender ideology. Trump's administration argues that the federal government’s involvement in education has failed to improve student performance despite spending large sums of money over the years.

Why is Trump closing the Education Department?

The Department of Education was created in 1979 to oversee education standards and ensure equal access to education across the United States. It supervises around 100,000 public schools and 34,000 private schools. Even though the federal government provides only about 15% of the funding for public schools (the rest comes from state and local governments), the department manages key programs, including student loans and support for low-income districts.

The Trump administration argues that despite spending over $3 trillion since the department's creation, the quality of education has not improved. Standardized test scores have not risen significantly, and the administration believes that the department’s oversight has created more bureaucracy without solving fundamental issues in education.

Trump's order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to close the department and transfer its responsibilities to state governments. McMahon has assured that essential programs like student loans and support for children with disabilities will continue under state control.

Trump’s plan is to give more power to state governments and school districts to make decisions about education without interference from the federal government. The executive order includes the following directives:

• State Control: Education policy decisions will now be made at the state level rather than the federal level.
• End of Federal Oversight: The federal government will no longer monitor how schools use funds or set nationwide standards for curriculum.
• Restrictions on DEI and Gender Ideology: Federal funding will no longer be available for programs promoting diversity, gender identity, or equity issues.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that federal school funding for low-income districts, students with disabilities, and student loans will not be affected since these programs are protected under federal law.

What will happen to student loans?

The Department of Education currently manages around $1.6 trillion in student loans. After the department’s closure, the responsibility for managing these loans will be transferred to the Department of the Treasury. Existing loan repayment programs, including income-based repayment and loan forgiveness, are expected to remain in place, but future changes might depend on state-level policies.

Trump's decision has received mixed reactions from political leaders and educators.

Supporters of the move argue that:

• The Department of Education has been ineffective in improving educational outcomes.
• Education decisions should be made at the local and state levels, not by federal agencies.
• Closing the department will reduce federal spending and bureaucracy.

Critics argue that:

• The department ensures equal access to education across different states and social groups.
• Removing federal oversight could widen the education gap between wealthy and poor states.
• Students in low-income areas may face reduced funding and fewer educational opportunities.

Public schools in the US depend heavily on state and local funding. However, federal funding supports several key programs, such as:

• Title I funding for low-income schools
• Special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Free and reduced lunch programs
• Pell Grants for low-income college students

Critics warn that removing federal oversight could result in funding cuts or unequal distribution of resources, especially for marginalized and low-income communities.

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Opposition from State Governments

Several state governments and education groups have already voiced opposition to the plan. Attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Boston to block the department’s closure.

These states argue that closing the department without Congressional approval is illegal and would create confusion for schools and students. They also claim that removing federal oversight could allow states to reduce funding for public schools and weaken educational standards.

Trump has long argued that the Department of Education is unnecessary and a waste of government resources. He made similar promises to close the department during his first term, but Congress blocked those efforts.

Trump believes that local governments and school boards are better suited to decide how schools should be run. He also argues that the federal government’s involvement in education has increased costs without improving student outcomes.

If the department is closed, teachers and students may face significant changes:

• Curriculum Standards: State governments will have full control over curriculum and teaching methods.
• Testing and Accountability: Federal standardized tests and national education performance tracking could end.
• Teacher Pay and Hiring: States will decide teacher salaries and hiring practices without federal guidelines.

This could lead to differences in education quality between states. Wealthier states may have better resources, while poorer states might struggle to maintain quality education.

Closing the Department of Education would mark one of the biggest shifts in US education policy in decades.

• Federal education funding would be redirected to states.
• National education programs like Head Start (early childhood education) and Pell Grants (college funding) might be affected.
• The federal role in promoting equal access to education and supporting underprivileged communities would be significantly reduced.

However, legal challenges and political opposition could delay or block the plan from being fully implemented.

If Trump signs the order, Secretary McMahon will have to develop a detailed plan to close the department and transfer responsibilities to state governments.

• Congress will need to approve changes to existing federal education laws.
• States will need to establish new education guidelines and funding structures.
• Legal challenges from state governments and education groups could delay the process.

Donald Trump’s order to close the Department of Education is a bold and controversial move. Supporters believe it will reduce government interference and give more power to local governments. Critics warn that it could weaken national education standards and create unequal access to education. The legal and political battles over this decision are expected to continue in the coming months.