The incoming Trump administration is reportedly looking to abolish the Department of Education, shifting its responsibilities to individual states. This move would be unprecedented, as no Cabinet department has ever been dissolved without restructuring. While complete abolition would require congressional legislation, a more likely scenario involves a reconciliation bill that defunds programs and bureaucratic positions. This would require only 50 Senate votes, with Vice President-elect JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.
and move its responsibilities back “to the states” on the campaign trail. The change would be an unprecedented move, as no Cabinet department has ever been dissolved without being reorganized in some way.to be the next secretary of education but told reporters last week that he wants “Linda to put herself out of a job” as he prepares to downsize the department.
“Congress would also have to amend legislation that grants the Secretary of Education authority to make certain decisions to the new secretaries, or other officials,”Trump is reportedly drafting an executive order to begin the process of effectively or outright eliminating the Education Department.
He said that if K-12 programs are eliminated, they could likely be block-granted to the states “and either kept that way and administered by some other department, or dissolved over maybe six years, with the initial amount reduced by a third every other year.” On the other hand, Hess said that through a reconciliation bill, “you could eliminate funding for many, or most of those positions.”The Education Department spent about $80 billion in 2024. Its main functions include developing and implementing policy, providing federal funding to, enforcing civil rights, supporting special education, managing student financial aid, performing data collection and research, and providing resources for teacher development.
One of the “complexities” in eliminating these programs, Hess said, is that “not only do Democrats not want to cut” them, but neither do Republicans for the most part “even though they don’t like the federal footprint and all the federal rules.” “The parts could be sent to various other departments; student aid to Treasury, the Office of Civil Rights to , and K-12 functions to HHS,” he added. “Or, though very unlikely, all the programs administers could be dissolved, and the department just eliminated.”
“It’s not clear that you would have big winners or losers among the states because it tends to be earmarked based on which kids have been identified with special needs… some states might lose slightly more, some slightly less,” Hess added, but in terms of “the actual dollars involved, there’s not going to be a huge difference, one state to the next.”
To the same point, Hess said many states employ up to a “couple hundred bureaucrats” whose jobs largely focus on “ensuring reporting requirements so that their schools get clean audits.”
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DONALD TRUMP BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONGRESS STATE GOVERNMENTS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hearing on State of American Education Rocked by Trump's Education Department Dissolution PlanThe House education committee's first meeting of the new term focused on 'The State of American Education,' but was overshadowed by President Trump's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Democrats defended the department's crucial role, while Republicans supported Trump's plan for local control and criticized federal involvement. Both sides acknowledged the need to address learning loss and improve education, but their approaches diverged sharply.
Read more »
Proposed Department of Education Dismantling Raises Concerns for Special EducationThe potential elimination of the Department of Education by President Trump has sparked worry among parents and educators regarding the future of special education resources. Donte Moore, a parent of two sons with intellectual disabilities, expresses concern about the loss of crucial classroom support. The Department of Education historically provides funding and oversight for students with disabilities, ensuring equal learning opportunities. With the department's potential dismantling, educators and parents fear a decline in funding, oversight, and safety measures for these students.
Read more »
Future of US Education Hangs in Balance as Department of Education Faces Potential DismantlingThe US Department of Education could be dismantled soon, according to the president's indication. This move would return education policy control to individual states. While some education leaders support this reform, emphasizing local control and focusing on core subjects, others express concern about potential funding delays for essential programs serving low-income communities and students with disabilities.
Read more »
Texas Education Commissioner Uncertain About Impact of Potential Federal Department of Education BanTexas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath expressed uncertainty about the potential consequences of a federal ban on the Department of Education for Texas schools during a legislative hearing. Morath acknowledged the lack of clarity surrounding the impact of such a move and emphasized the need to examine any proposed legislation carefully. He also addressed concerns about school districts facing budget deficits and potential closures, attributing these challenges partially to the elimination of discretionary federal funds. These remarks come amid ongoing debates about public education funding and oversight in the Texas legislature.
Read more »
Trump nominates Penny Schwinn for deputy secretary of US Department of EducationPresident-elect Trump tapped Penny Schwinn, a former Tennessee education commissioner, for deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Read more »
Trump Vows to Eliminate the Department of EducationPresident-elect Donald Trump plans to abolish the Department of Education, transferring its responsibilities to state governments and other federal agencies. This move would significantly alter the landscape of American education, impacting funding, civil rights, and parental choice.
Read more »