Since his 2016 campaign, Donald Trump has advocated for dismantling the Education Department, arguing that education decisions should be handled at the state level. In a 2023 video, Trump reiterated his stance, claiming that despite spending over $1 trillion annually, the U.S. education system lags behind global competitors.
The Republican Party has endorsed Trump’s proposal, aligning with Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative that includes eliminating federal oversight in education. Prominent GOP figures, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, have also supported efforts to restructure or eliminate the department.
Potential Impact on Students and Schools
The Education Department currently serves:
- 50 million students in 98,000 public and 32,000 private schools
- 12 million college students through grants, loans, and work-study programs
Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, warns that eliminating the department would:
- Increase class sizes
- Cut job training programs
- Reduce special education services
- Make higher education more expensive
- Weaken civil rights protections for students
Opponents argue that dismantling the department would undermine federal funding for education and disproportionately affect low-income students and families.
Congressional Challenges
While some Republican lawmakers have introduced bills to abolish the department, none have passed. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) and David Rouzer (R-NC) recently proposed legislation to eliminate it, but passing such a bill remains unlikely due to the Senate filibuster requiring 60 votes.
Despite Republican control of both chambers, Democratic support would be needed to move forward, making the department’s elimination highly improbable.
School Choice and Federal Oversight
Trump has also signed an order directing the Education Department to expand school choice programs, allowing low-income families greater access to charter and private schools using federal funds. School choice has been a key Republican policy priority, and many GOP-led states have already increased funding for these programs.
What’s Next?
While Trump’s executive order may serve as a political statement, the Education Department is unlikely to be abolished without congressional approval. However, the administration could still significantly reduce its influence, shifting more control to state governments and local school boards.
As the debate continues, both supporters and opponents will closely watch how federal education policies evolve under Trump’s leadership.
