WASHINGTON – In a sweeping move aimed at overhauling the nation’s education system, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the U.S. Department of Education and the return of educational authority to state and local governments.
The order, signed March 20, 2025, cites decades of bureaucratic inefficiency and declining student performance, marking a significant shift in the federal government’s role in education policy.
Titled “Returning Educational Authority to the States,” the order argues that the Department of Education, established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, has failed to improve student outcomes despite billions of dollars in federal funding.
According to the order, American students’ reading and math scores are near historic lows, with 70% of eighth graders below proficiency in reading and 72% below proficiency in math, as reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
“Unfortunately, the experiment of controlling American education through federal programs and dollars has plainly failed our children, our teachers, and our families,” the order said. “Closing the Department of Education will empower families, engage communities, and provide children with the excellent educational opportunities they deserve.”
The order directs the secretary of education to take necessary steps to shut down the department while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services and programs.
It emphasizes that education policy should be determined at the state and local levels, shifting responsibility for funding and oversight away from the federal government.
The executive order also mandates that any federal education funds allocated during the transition comply with federal law and administration policies, including prohibiting programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion or gender ideology, which it describes as “illegal discrimination.”
Additionally, the order addresses the Department of Education’s $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, arguing that the department is ill-equipped to handle financial responsibilities of that scale. It suggests transferring loan management to entities such as private banks.
The implementation of the executive order will require careful coordination to ensure a smooth transition.
The secretary of education is tasked with developing a plan to wind down the department’s operations while maintaining essential services.
The process is expected to take several months, if not years, and will likely face legal and political challenges.
While supporters believe decentralizing education will promote innovation and accountability, critics warn that it could exacerbate existing inequalities by leaving underfunded states and districts struggling to meet educational needs.
DeSoto Tribune Staff