President Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education

 

Donald Trump, the President, signed an order on March 20, 2025. This order told Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin taking apart the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The goal? To give back control over education to states, communities, and parents.

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Why This Happened and What It Means

President Jimmy Carter made the DOE a law in 1979. Since then, people have argued about the federal government's role in education. Critics say central control has caused problems and stopped local creativity. The current leaders think that if states and communities have more say, they can create better more tailored education plans.

White House

What the Order Says

The order lays out steps to take the department apart:

Shifting of Responsibilities: The government plans to move federal student aid and special education funding to other departments to keep things running .

Job Cuts: The department has let go of many workers in areas like student aid and civil rights enforcement shutting down its ability to function.

Giving More Power to Communities: The plan aims to give parents, states, and local communities a bigger say in how schools are run and what policies they follow.

The White House

Legal and Political Implications

Congress has the power to dissolve the department, but the executive branch can limit its activities. The administration knows this weakness and uses its authority to curb the department's power.

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Reactions and Criticism

The choice has sparked different responses:

Supporters: People who favor limited federal control praise the move as progress toward educational freedom and local oversight.

The White House

Opponents: Some worry about possible negative effects on educational fairness and uniformity claiming that federal safeguards for at-risk student groups would suffer.

Future Outlook

The executive order marks a shift in U.S. education policy. Once the plan takes effect interested parties will watch to see how it affects education quality, access, and the link between federal and local governments.