A Big Shift in Education Policy

The White House has announced that President Trump will issue an executive order on Thursday. This order aims to significantly reduce the role of the Department of Education. The move is part of a long-standing promise made during his campaign. It is already facing pushback from those who want to stop the department's closure. They are also challenging the recent cuts to its staff. The Department of Education was created in 1979. It handles funding for public schools, manages student loans, and runs programs for low-income students. Trump has criticized the department, accusing it of promoting inappropriate content. It is important to note that the department does not run schools or set curricula. That responsibility falls to states and local districts. Only about 13% of funding for primary and secondary schools comes from the federal government. The rest comes from states and local sources. The department also manages federal student loans, which are used by millions of Americans to pay for higher education. The executive order is expected to be signed at a White House ceremony. Republican governors, including Florida's Ron DeSantis, are set to attend. The order is said to focus on expanding educational opportunities. It also aims to give more control to parents, states, and communities. However, completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval. This is seen as unlikely, given the Republicans' slim majority in the Senate. Major legislation, like closing a department, typically needs 60 votes. Some conservatives have long advocated for reducing the department's role. They argue that education should be primarily a state and local responsibility. Critics, however, worry about the potential impact on programs that support low-income students and those who rely on federal student loans. The order's specifics are not yet clear, but it is sure to spark debate. The Department of Education's role has been a contentious issue for decades. This move by the president is likely to reignite that debate. The education system in the US is complex. It involves multiple levels of government and a mix of funding sources. The federal government plays a significant role, but states and local districts have the primary responsibility. This order could change that dynamic, shifting more power to states and communities. It could also lead to changes in how student loans are managed and how programs for low-income students are funded.