Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education Sparks Debate

Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education Sparks Debate | Future Education Magazine

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Proposal to Shut Down the Department of Education

A new executive order is reportedly being considered to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move long supported by conservative policymakers. The decision aligns with a campaign promise aimed at eliminating certain federal education programs while relocating others to different government agencies.

While executive authority allows for restructuring various programs, abolishing the department entirely would require congressional approval. Reports indicate that efforts are underway to reduce the department’s influence by scaling back its operations and transferring some of its responsibilities elsewhere. The latest development follows steps taken to curtail the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a key player in overseas development initiatives.

In December, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon was nominated for the position of education secretary, further signaling a commitment to reshaping federal education policy. However, her confirmation proceedings in the Senate have not yet been scheduled.

The Role and Budget of the Department of Education

Contrary to common misconceptions, the US Department of Education does not directly operate schools or set curricula. Instead, it primarily oversees student loan programs, administers Pell grants for low-income college students, funds initiatives for disabled and impoverished students, and enforces civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in federally funded institutions.

With a budget allocation of $238 billion for the 2024 fiscal year—amounting to less than 2% of the total federal budget—the agency remains one of the smallest cabinet-level departments, employing approximately 4,400 people. Most public education funding in the U.S. is sourced from state and local governments, which collectively spend over $857 billion annually on primary and secondary education.

Political and Legislative Challenges to the Plan

Despite ambitions to restructure federal education oversight, the prospect of shutting down the Department of Education faces significant legislative hurdles. The process would require congressional approval, including a supermajority in the Senate—meaning at least 60 votes. With the current Senate majority, at least seven opposing senators would need to support the measure, which remains highly unlikely.

A previous attempt to abolish the department failed in the House of Representatives, where 60 members of the majority party joined opposition votes against the proposal. Even with executive action, directives can only initiate a scaling down process, but full dissolution remains a congressional decision.

Certain policymakers have long sought to dismantle the Department of Education, advocating for decentralized education policies that give more control to individual states and local governments. Some critics argue that the department has been instrumental in promoting ideologies related to race and gender, a claim that has fueled conservative opposition. Supporters of restructuring also propose that student loan administration be transferred to the Treasury Department, while civil rights enforcement should fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.

Additionally, proponents of school choice—who support diverting public funds to private and religious schools—view the department’s potential closure as an opportunity to expand these alternatives. As efforts continue to reshape the federal workforce, the fate of the Department of Education remains a highly discussed issue in the national debate on education policy.

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