US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to shut down the Department of Education, citing its failure to improve student outcomes and its alleged bureaucratic inefficiencies. The move aligns with long-standing conservative arguments that education should be governed at the state level rather than by federal authorities.
Trump’s order, titled Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities, claims the department has become an obstacle rather than a facilitator of quality education. Citing 2024 data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which found that 70% of eighth graders were below proficiency in reading and 72% in mathematics, the administration argues that federal oversight has done little to address declining standards.
The order also plays into broader Republican concerns that the department promotes progressive ideologies in schools. Trump’s supporters believe eliminating federal oversight will reduce what they see as political bias in education policies.
However, dismantling the department requires congressional approval, which remains uncertain. While some Republican lawmakers have expressed support, past efforts to shut down the agency have faced bipartisan opposition. Critics argue that closing the department could disrupt federal student aid programs and weaken protections for disadvantaged students.
Despite the challenges, Trump insists that reallocating education responsibilities to states will lead to better outcomes and give parents greater control over their children’s schooling. The executive order signals a major shift in federal education policy, but its implementation remains far from certain.