The President of the United States has issued an executive order aimed at reshaping the educational landscape by empowering parents, states, and communities. The directive outlines a plan to close the Department of Education and transfer authority over education back to state and local levels.
The President emphasized that "our Nation’s bright future relies on empowered families, engaged communities, and excellent educational opportunities for every child." He criticized the federal control over education, stating it has failed students, teachers, and families. The President highlighted that taxpayers spent approximately $200 billion at the federal level on schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to more than $60 billion annually on federal school funding.
According to the order, closing the Department of Education would allow children and their families to escape a failing system. Current American reading and math scores are near historical lows. The recent National Assessment of Educational Progress indicated that 70 percent of 8th graders were below proficient in reading, while 72 percent were below proficient in math.
The executive order suggests that returning education authority to states could drastically improve program implementation in higher education. The Department currently manages a student loan debt portfolio exceeding $1.6 trillion but lacks sufficient personnel compared to large banks like Wells Fargo.
The Secretary of Education is directed to facilitate the closure of the Department while ensuring effective delivery of services. Additionally, any allocation of federal funds must comply with laws prohibiting illegal discrimination under terms like “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or programs promoting gender ideology.
This order will be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to appropriations availability. It does not create enforceable rights or benefits against any U.S. entities or individuals.
