Introduction to Trump’s Plan
President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House official, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement.
Background on the Department of Education
Trump has derided the Department of Education as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, finalizing its dismantling is likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. A White House fact sheet said the order would direct 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.”
About Linda McMahon
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Impact of the Shutdown
The Trump administration has already been gutting the agency. Its workforce is being slashed in half and there have been deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress. Advocates for public schools said eliminating the department would leave children behind in an American education system that is fundamentally unequal. “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 National Parents Union said in a statement.
Role of the Department of Education
The department sends billions of dollars a year to schools and oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. Currently, much of the agency’s work revolves around managing money — both its extensive student loan portfolio and a range of aid programs for colleges and school districts, from school meals to support for homeless students. The agency also plays a significant role in overseeing civil rights enforcement.
Funding and Responsibilities
Federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets — roughly 14%. The money often supports supplemental programs for vulnerable students, such as the McKinney-Vento program for homeless students or Title I for low-income schools. Colleges and universities are more reliant on money from Washington, through research grants along with federal financial aid that helps students pay their tuition.
Historical Context and Opposition
Republicans have talked about closing the Education Department for decades, saying it wastes taxpayer money and inserts the federal government into decisions that should fall to states and schools. The idea has gained popularity recently as conservative parents’ groups demand more authority over their children’s schooling. In his platform, Trump promised to close the department “and send it back to the states, where it belongs.” Trump has cast the department as a hotbed of “radicals, zealots and Marxists” who overextend their reach through guidance and regulation.
Conclusion
The plan to shut down the Department of Education is a controversial move that has been met with opposition from various groups. While the Trump administration believes that the department is wasteful and ineffective, others argue that it plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students have access to quality education. The fate of the department remains uncertain, and it is likely that the issue will be debated in Congress and the courts in the coming months.
FAQs
Q: Why does Trump want to shut down the Department of Education?
A: Trump believes that the department is wasteful and ineffective, and that education should be left to the states.
Q: What would happen to federal student loans if the department is shut down?
A: The administration has not spelled out what would happen to federal student loans, but it is likely that they would be managed by another department.
Q: How much of public school budgets come from federal funding?
A: Federal funding makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets.
Q: What is the role of the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education?
A: The Office for Civil Rights oversees civil rights enforcement in schools and colleges.
Q: How has the Trump administration been preparing for the potential shutdown of the department?
A: The administration has been slashing the department’s workforce and cutting funding for various programs. Twenty states and the District of Columbia announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration Thursday over its mass firings at the Department of Education.
