## Is Education the Next Casualty? Trump to Sign Order Targeting Education Department
Imagine a world where your local school board decides the fate of your child’s education, unfettered by federal oversight. It’s a scenario that sounds like a dystopian novel, but it’s the unsettling reality that President Trump seems poised to unleash.
Sources within the administration reveal that Trump is preparing to sign an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. This move, if carried through, would be a seismic shift, stripping away decades of federal involvement in shaping American education and potentially leaving millions of students and educators vulnerable.
Sweeping Layoffs
The Trump administration has already begun reducing the department’s staff, with nearly 600 workers leaving and 1,300 more facing job loss, leaving the department at roughly half its original size.
The Role of Education Secretary Linda McMahon
McMahon has been tasked with facilitating the department’s closure and has attempted to rally support among staff, calling it a “final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students.”
The Reaction from Democrats
Sen. Patty Murray has criticized the move, saying it would “destroy public education in America” and harm students and families who rely on the department’s services.
The Broader Implications of the Department’s Closure
The Fate of Federal Education Funding
The closure of the department would likely mean a significant reduction in federal education funding, which currently makes up a small fraction of public schools’ funding.
The Impact on Vulnerable Students
The loss of federal funding would disproportionately affect low-income communities, rural students, and children with disabilities, who rely on these funds for support.
The Future of Education Policy
The closure of the department would mark a significant shift in education policy, with states and local governments taking on more responsibility for education, and potentially leading to a more decentralized and varied approach to education.
Blaming the Department for Lackluster Student Achievement
In a fact sheet provided to Unionjournalism, the White House justifies the department’s closure, claiming that, since its founding in 1979, the Department of Education has spent over $3 trillion without improving student achievement.
According to The Nation’s Report Card, one of the oldest and most reliable barometers of student achievement in the U.S., reading scores changed little between 1992 and 2019, though math achievement improved considerably.
The pandemic also wrought havoc on student achievement, with many learning gaps remaining five years after schools first closed to in-person learning.
These “scores reveal a national crisis — our children are falling behind,” said White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields in a statement to Unionjournalism.
Trump’s order, Fields wrote, “will empower parents, states, and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students.”
Early Moves to Reduce the Department
The executive action also arrives as the department has already been the subject of widespread cuts and staff departures.
Last month, the administration gutted the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which is responsible for gathering and disseminating data on a wide range of topics, including research-backed teaching practices and the state of U.S. student achievement.
Among the canceled department grants were programs exploring how to accelerate students’ math learning and efforts to study how best to prepare some students with disabilities for the difficult transition from high school into the working world.
Conclusion
The Trump Administration’s Ambitious Plan to Reorganize Education: A Comprehensive Analysis
In a move that has left educators and policymakers alike scratching their heads, the Trump administration is set to sign an executive order aimed at dissolving the Education Department. According to reports, the order would essentially dismantle the department and transfer its responsibilities to various federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor. This drastic measure is a significant departure from the department’s current structure, which was established in 1979 under the Education Amendments of 1978. By streamlining federal education policies and eliminating the need for a centralized department, the administration argues that it will reduce bureaucracy and promote efficiency.
The significance of this move cannot be overstated. The Education Department has long been a crucial player in shaping federal education policy, from enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to administering the No Child Left Behind Act. By dismantling the department, the Trump administration risks undermining the effectiveness of these programs and creating confusion among educators and policymakers. Moreover, this reorganization could have far-reaching implications for the future of education in the United States, particularly in the areas of special education, early childhood education, and higher education. As the country continues to grapple with issues such as inequality, access, and affordability, it is essential to evaluate the potential consequences of such a drastic policy shift.
As the Trump administration’s plan to dissolve the Education Department takes shape, it is essential to think critically about the implications of this move for the future of education in America. One thing is clear: the decisions made in Washington will have a lasting impact on the lives of millions of students, teachers, and families. As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves: what are the long-term consequences of dismantling the Education Department, and how will this reorganization affect the most vulnerable members of our society? The answer to these questions will depend on the choices we make today.