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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump’s Agenda47 platform includes a bold proposal: dismantling the Department of Education and transferring its functions to state governments. Trump argues that states are better equipped to handle education needs, but critics warn that the move could disrupt funding and accountability for millions of students.
What the Department of Education Does
Established as a Cabinet-level agency in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education (DOE) oversees key federal education initiatives. These include Title I funding for low-income schools, enforcement of anti-discrimination laws like Title IX, and Federal Student Aid programs, which annually provide over $120 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds.
The DOE also enforces the Every Student Succeeds Act, ensuring states report performance data and graduation rates. Notably, it doesn’t set curricula or accredit schools but has been a crucial player in addressing educational inequities.
“The DOE’s expertise ensures equitable access to education for all children,” said Clare McCann, a higher education expert.
Trump’s Vision
Trump has repeatedly criticized the DOE, claiming it promotes federal overreach and inefficiency. His proposal would send education responsibilities to the states, effectively decentralizing control.
“We want [the states] to run the education of our children because they’ll do a much better job,” Trump said during his campaign.
He also plans to eliminate federal programs he claims promote gender transition discussions in schools and establish a credentialing body for teachers who “embrace patriotic values.”
Concerns from Experts
Education professionals warn that eliminating the DOE could disrupt billions in funding and key programs.
“The department ensures that federal dollars reach the right students and communities,” said Wendy A. Paterson, a professor and dean at Buffalo State University. “Without it, the most vulnerable populations—low-income, disabled, and rural students—could lose critical resources.”
Paterson added that dismantling the DOE could exacerbate the national teacher shortage and hinder federal accountability in education.
Critics also worry about the fate of anti-discrimination protections enforced by the DOE, such as those under Title IX and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
“The federal government plays a unique role in upholding civil rights,” McCann said.
Is It Feasible?
Dismantling the DOE would require an act of Congress, making it a politically complex and time-consuming endeavor. Education policy expert Neal McCluskey, of the libertarian Cato Institute, noted that Congress would need to pass legislation to redirect funding and responsibilities to states.
“What politicians say on the campaign trail often oversimplifies the complexities of governance,” McCluskey said. “No president can unilaterally shut down a federal department.”
Implications for Trump’s Education Agenda
Trump’s education platform also includes measures to end teacher tenure, implement merit pay, and prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports. He aims to offer funding incentives to states that adopt these policies.
While Trump’s push aligns with conservative efforts to decentralize federal control, the feasibility and consequences of abolishing the DOE remain unclear.
“It’s easy to propose bold ideas,” Paterson said, “but dismantling a key federal agency without a clear plan risks chaos for students, families, and schools across the country.”
