Executive Order to Shut Down Department of Education
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will sign a long-anticipated executive order on Thursday that aims to shut down the Department of Education, the White House said on Wednesday, fulfilling a key campaign pledge.
The move is already being challenged by a group of Democratic state attorneys general, who filed a lawsuit last week seeking to block the Trump administration from dismantling the department and halt the firing of nearly half of its staff.
Background and Context
The Department of Education announced last week it would lay off all employees at its Dallas office, as part of plans to eliminate several regional offices.
The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure [of] the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
It also mandates that any programs or activities receiving remaining Department of Education funds should not “advance DEI or gender ideology,” according to a White House fact sheet.
History of the Department of Education
Trump has repeatedly called for eliminating the department, calling it “a big con job.” He proposed shuttering it in his first term as president, but Congress did not act.
Republicans have long sought to chip away at the Education Department’s funding and influence.
Role of the Department of Education
The department oversees some 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools in the United States, although more than 85% of public school funding comes from state and local governments.
The department provides federal grants for needy schools and programs, including money to pay teachers of children with special needs, fund arts programs and replace outdated infrastructure.
It also oversees the $1.6 trillion in student loans held by tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford to pay for university outright.
Impact of the Executive Order
The department’s defenders say it is crucial to keeping public education standards high and accuse Republicans of trying to push for-profit education. An immediate closure could disrupt tens of billions of dollars in aid to K-12 schools and tuition assistance for college students.
Trump and his adviser Elon Musk have attempted to dismantle government programs and institutions such as the U.S. Agency for International Development without congressional approval, but abolishing the Department of Education would be Trump’s first shutdown of a cabinet-level agency.
Next Steps
McMahon, the co-founder and former CEO of the WWE professional wrestling franchise, who was confirmed by the Senate on Monday, had defended Trump’s plans to abolish the agency, but has promised that federal school funding appropriated by Congress to assist low-income school districts and students would continue.
Trump said last month he wanted the department to be closed immediately, but acknowledged he would need buy-ins from Congress, which determines its funding, and teachers’ unions.
Conclusion
The executive order to shut down the Department of Education has significant implications for the education system in the United States. While some argue that it is a necessary step to reduce government spending and increase state control over education, others argue that it will have a devastating impact on public education and the students who rely on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the executive order to shut down the Department of Education?
A: The purpose of the executive order is to shut down the Department of Education and return education authority to the states.
Q: What will happen to the employees of the Department of Education?
A: The Department of Education announced that it would lay off all employees at its Dallas office, and nearly half of its staff may be fired.
Q: What will happen to federal funding for schools and students?
A: Education Secretary Linda McMahon has promised that federal school funding appropriated by Congress to assist low-income school districts and students would continue.
Q: What is the role of the Department of Education?
A: The department oversees some 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools in the United States, provides federal grants for needy schools and programs, and oversees the $1.6 trillion in student loans held by tens of millions of Americans.
