The way forward for the US Division of Schooling is in danger, as efforts to eradicate it acquire momentum. Adjustments underneath President Donald Trump‘s administration appeared inevitable, given his current historical past of creating cuts to varied federal departments. Throughout his 2024 election marketing campaign, he additionally vowed to “drain the federal government schooling swamp” and “cease the abuse of your taxpayer {dollars} to indoctrinate America’s youth with all types of issues that you just don’t wish to have our youth listening to.” Trump additionally emphasised his need to “transfer schooling again to the states,” in response to CNN.
After profitable the election, Trump nominated former WWE co-founder Linda McMahon to function the subsequent U.S. Secretary of Schooling. Now authorized as of March 3, McMahon is about to start the method of dismantling the division, as outlined in an government order ready by White Home officers, The Wall Avenue Journal studies.
To be taught extra in regards to the goal of the Division of Schooling and the variety of staff it at present oversees, preserve studying.
What Is the Division of Schooling?
The U.S. Division of Schooling is a cabinet-level company within the authorities. Based on the division’s web site, its focus is to “promote pupil achievement and preparation for world competitiveness by fostering academic excellence and guaranteeing equal entry for college kids of all ages.”
“Throughout Profession and Technical Schooling Month, we reaffirm our perception in excellence by placing America first and investing in the most effective coaching and retraining alternatives that can end in a stronger workforce and a booming financial system.” — @POTUS
America is again! 🇺🇸
— U.S. Division of Schooling (@usedgov) February 3, 2025
What Does the Division of Schooling Do?
The division oversees a number of points of schooling in America, together with the next: insurance policies on federal monetary help used for schooling, amassing knowledge and conducting related analysis on faculties, focusing public consideration on academic points and prohibiting discrimination and guaranteeing equal entry to schooling for all college students.
Per the division’s official web site, schooling is a state and native duty throughout the U.S., and 92 p.c of funds for elementary and secondary schooling comes from the states, whereas simply 8 p.c originates from the federal stage.
How Many Workers Does the Division of Schooling Have?
Based on NPR in February, the U.S. Division of Schooling employed round 4,400 folks and had an annual price range of $79 billion. The outlet additionally reported that the Trump administration had positioned “dozens” of division workers on paid go away, following the same transfer with variety, fairness and inclusion (DEI) staff earlier this 12 months.
On March 11, the division introduced the termination of practically half of its workforce, decreasing workers by 1,315, leaving roughly 2,183 staff remaining. This determination adopted an order for staff to depart their places of work by 6 p.m. on the identical day, with places of work to stay closed on the next day because of “safety causes.”
Together with these firings, The New York Instances reported that 572 staff had accepted separation packages provided in current weeks, and 63 probationary staff had been let go final month.
After the mass layoffs, McMahon wrote in a press release, “Immediately’s discount in power displays the Division of Schooling’s dedication to effectivity, accountability and guaranteeing that sources are directed the place they matter most: to college students, dad and mom and academics.”
Can Trump Dismantle the Division of Schooling?
Trump signed a number of government orders when he took workplace for the second time in January 2025. In a forthcoming motion, the president plans to make vital cuts to the division, in response to a number of retailers. Whereas he can modify the division, eradicating it fully would take an act of Congress. The division was established by an act of Congress in 1979. As a part of the modifications inside the division of schooling, Trump can seemingly reduce sure packages that weren’t created by Congress, in response to NPR.
Within the draft of the order reported on March 5, McMahon is instructed to “take all crucial steps to facilitate the closure of the Schooling Division” based mostly on “the utmost extent acceptable and permitted by regulation.”
The order additionally outlines the reasoning for the closure, stating, “Since its founding in 1979, the Division of Schooling has spent greater than $1 trillion with out producing just about any enchancment in pupil studying and arithmetic scores.”
