Our next story takes us to the United States, where we will be talking about the intentions of the president-elect, Donald Trump, in the educational sector. One of Trump’s campaign promises was to dismantle the Department of Education. The major question here is whether Trump will dismantle the Education Department and what Trump’s plans are for schools in his second term.
US President-elect Donald Trump plans to “dismantle the Department of Education.” He has had this plan for quite a long time and even tried it in his first term as president. What would this mean for America’s schools? How did we get here? And what could the future hold?
Dismantling the agency would be no mean feat, as it would require approval from Congress, and he is on course to achieving this.
The Department of Education was created in 1980, at the tail end of President Jimmy Carter’s single term in office, as a payoff to the nation’s largest teachers’ union after it endorsed his unsuccessful re-election bid.
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The federal government has spent well over a trillion dollars on K-12 education since the department’s inception while failing to improve student performance.
Trump wants no part of it.
The Department of Education was created to centralise education policy, ensure equal access, and improve the quality of public schooling across the United States. It also oversees everything from student loans to school civil rights enforcement. As you all know, every coin has two sides; supporters claim it ensures a baseline of quality and equity.
However, the department has been a lightning rod for criticism since its inception. Critics argue that education decisions should be left to states and local communities, accusing the federal government of overreach.
This is not Trump’s first attempt to dismantle the Department of Education. Yes, you heard that right. He attempted to scrap the agency in this first term in the Oval Office; however, his efforts got traction. While calling for the agency’s reduction or total elimination, his administration advocates for school choice, promoting charter schools and vouchers.
By scrapping the Department of Education, the federal government could send the department’s budget back to the states so they can have more education funding to spend as they see fit. That would allow for more local control — and less wasteful spending on useless bureaucrats in Washington.
Trump argues that “American families know best how to educate their children. It’s time to abolish the Department of Education and return power to states, communities, and parents.”
Trump believes federal oversight stifles innovation and local control. However, critics caution this could widen disparities in education funding and quality, leaving vulnerable students behind.
So, what could happen if Trump succeeded? Without federal oversight, states would have more control over curriculum, funding, and standards. Poorer states and districts could struggle even more to provide essential resources, while Wealthier states and districts might thrive. Supporters argue this could lead to tailored education that better meets local needs. However, critics warn that it could exacerbate inequality.
Additionally, federal programs like Pell Grants and Title I funding, which support low-income students, could face uncertainty. Critics fear dismantling the department could unravel decades of progress in educational equity.
Trump argues that The federal Department of Education is an unconstitutional waste of time and money. Its very existence arguably violates the Tenth Amendment: “education” appears nowhere in the Constitution.
According to experts, state disparities could grow without a central governing body. However, some also argue that this is the reset American education needs. While some might innovate, others could fall behind, especially in underserved areas.
Some prioritise innovation and local control, while others fear losing protections for vulnerable students. As it stands, the public has mixed opinions on this issue. In recent polls, Americans are split on the federal government’s role in education.
Is this a bold move toward empowering local communities or a dangerous gamble with our children’s future? One thing is clear—one thing is clear, only time will tell.
Should the Department of Education be dismantled? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
