A draft executive order has surfaced, instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to work toward transferring education control back to the states. If it becomes official, this would mark the first move in President Trump’s controversial promise to eliminate the Department of Education, which has been part of the federal government for 45 years. Trump claims the department is too big and unconstitutional.
Initial reports suggested that Trump would sign this order today, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly denied those claims, calling them “fake news.” Yet, the discussions have sparked much debate. Supporters of Trump believe this overhaul is necessary, while critics, including many families and students, warn of the potential harm this could cause.
McMahon, who just assumed her role, is committed to this mission. She has asked her team to prepare for changes aimed at reducing bureaucracy and shifting more power to states. Despite limited details in the draft order, experts predict significant staff cuts and a smaller federal role in education. This process is already in motion, as the department has begun cutting contracts and laying off employees.
While McManus, a higher education vice president at Arnold Ventures, notes that many of the suggested changes are already happening, she emphasizes that any attempt to close the department would require a complicated process involving Congress. “This isn’t a simple task,” she explained. “You can’t just shut the doors overnight.”
The draft order lacks specifics about how essential programs like the Pell Grant or the student loan system would be affected. However, it does indicate that any funds distributed must comply with federal laws, including those concerning diversity and inclusion. There have been suggestions that parts of the department could move to different agencies, but no concrete plans have been shared yet.
With over 4,000 employees and an $80 billion budget, shutting down the Department of Education could be a massive undertaking. Public opinion also seems to resist this idea; recent polls indicate that many voters oppose eliminating the department, including a notable percentage of Republicans.
Analysts have been vocal about their expectations. Michael Brickman notes that while the draft might not surprise many, future steps will likely aim at maintaining essential functions with reduced funding and staff. He argues that some of the department’s responsibilities may not significantly contribute to student success and suggests a streamlining of operations.
On the other hand, many Democrats and education advocates view this initiative as detrimental. Randi Weingarten from the American Federation of Teachers expressed concerns that the administration is prioritizing political agendas over the needs of students. Senator Patty Murray criticized Trump, suggesting that the administration does not truly understand the needs of public education.
Ultimately, there is skepticism about whether the department can be completely shut down, given that it requires congressional action. As Kvaal, a former Biden administration official, pointed out, merely advocating for dismantling the department does not equate to the authority needed to do so effectively. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, requiring significant collaboration, negotiation, and, likely, court interventions.
Source link
Higher, Education, News, Jobs, Events, Career
