President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, returning control over schools and curriculum back to the states. The move is being hailed by supporters as a long-overdue shift toward local accountability, school choice, and a rollback of what many see as decades of centralized federal overreach in public education.
The decision follows an earlier round of layoffs, which saw nearly half the department’s workforce let go. Trump, accompanied by students as he signed the order, framed the move as empowering states and families to take education into their own hands—without Washington dictating what’s taught in classrooms. According to a White House statement, the federal government will also step back from managing the student loan program, transferring oversight to institutions better equipped for the task.
Critics were quick to respond, but supporters say the Department had become bloated and ineffective, funneling billions into a system that delivered declining results. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, praised the move, saying the Department had “prioritized leftist indoctrination over academic excellence.” By restoring education authority to the states, the administration aims to reduce bureaucracy and boost student performance through more localized, flexible systems.
Though legal challenges are expected, many see this as a bold and decisive moment for education reform—one that puts parents and local communities back at the center of America’s schools.
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