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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to formally begin the process of dismantling the Education Department.
Beyond the ‘core necessities, my administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department’, Trump said in a speech at the White House on Thursday.
"We're going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible," Trump added.
What Is the US Department of Education?
The US Department of Education (ED) is a federal agency responsible for overseeing education policies, funding, and regulations across the country. Established in 1979, its main goal is to improve education quality, ensure equal access, and support schools, students, and teachers.
Key Functions of the Education Department
- Federal Funding for Schools & Colleges
- Distributes financial aid to K-12 schools and higher education institutions.
- Manages student loan programs like Pell Grants and federal student loans.
- Setting Education Standards & Policies
- Develops national education policies, though states control their own school systems.
- Influences curriculum through programs like Common Core and No Child Left Behind.
- Ensuring Equal Education Opportunities
- Enforces civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in schools.
- Supports special education through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Data Collection & Research
- Conducts studies on student performance and education trends.
- Publishes reports to help schools improve learning outcomes.
Why Trump Want to Dismantle the Education Department?
President Donald Trump and many conservatives believe that education should be controlled by states, not the federal government. Critics argue that:
- The Department creates unnecessary bureaucracy.
- States and local governments should have more control over education.
- Federal involvement leads to inefficiency and excessive spending.
On the other hand, supporters of the Education Department argue that federal oversight ensures quality, fairness, and equal opportunities for all students, especially in underprivileged areas.
What Happens If the Education Department Is Dismantled?
Education control shifts to states – Each state would decide its own policies and funding.
Federal student loans and grants could change – Programs like Pell Grants may be restructured or managed by a different agency.
Reduced federal oversight – Schools would have more freedom but may also lose federal protections on civil rights and special education.
Once done, it would be one of the biggest changes in US education policy history, with supporters praising it as a step toward local control and critics warning of inequality and funding issues.
