President Trump is set to announce a bold plan aimed at reforming education. He is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday to kick-start the process of restructuring the Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign pledge. The signing event will take place at the White House, with Republican governors, state education officials, and students in attendance.
The executive order is intended to expand educational opportunities by granting more control to parents, states, and communities in order to enhance student outcomes. While closing the Department of Education would necessitate congressional approval, the president will task Secretary Linda McMahon with overseeing the necessary steps to begin the process and transfer education authority back to the states.
Notably, federal funding for students with disabilities, Title I funding for low-income schools, and federal student loan payments will remain unaffected by the order. The move to dismantle the Department of Education is a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to reducing federal intervention in education and empowering local decision-making.
This decision has faced criticism from education advocates who oppose the move, with legal challenges already being prepared. Despite this, President Trump remains resolute in his campaign promise to downsize the agency, citing it as a symbol of excessive federal control and ideological conflict.
The anticipated executive order follows recent staff reductions within the Department of Education, resulting in significant layoffs and voluntary departures. The move has drawn condemnation from unions, echoing concerns about the impact of the restructuring on public schools and students nationwide.
The president’s actions have raised concerns about potential consequences on class sizes, job training programs, higher education affordability, services for students with disabilities, and civil rights protections. The administration’s efforts to overhaul education policy continue to spark debate and opposition within the education community.
