U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony is set to take place on January 20, 2025, where he will be officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Throughout his election campaign, Trump has consistently stated his intention to eliminate the Department of Education. While this seems unlikely, what if he succeeds this time? To our surprise, several Republican states are expressing support for his plan.
The Department of Education oversees funding for public schools, administers student loans, and runs programs to assist low-income students. It also enforces civil rights laws to prevent race- or sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools, according to BBC.
Trump argues that the U.S. education system ranks poorly compared to other developed nations. He believes individual states could manage education more effectively and at a lower cost if given full control. For conservatives like him, education should be managed locally, as the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly define a federal role in this area. Critics of the Department of Education (DoE) contend that it has overreached under Democratic administrations, citing issues such as civil rights enforcement, student discipline policies, and protections for LGBTQ students.
Furthermore, Republicans have accused the DoE of pushing what they describe as “woke” political ideologies onto children, particularly regarding gender and race. Consequently, they advocate for transferring the authority of the Education Department to state governments, which already handle most education-related matters. Trump allies also seek to expand school choice, allowing students and families to select alternatives to public schools, as reported by BBC.
However, if Trump intends to dismantle the Education Department, he will need congressional approval—a challenging task.
States support and debate over Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education
The question then arises: Do states actually support Trump on this? The answer appears to be yes. Several Republican state officials have shown their support for Trump’s plan. According to a report by Inside Higher Ed, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in November 2024 that he would form a Trump Education Advisory Committee.
Additionally, the same report states that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva have echoed Walters, each expressing their willingness to embrace the closure of the Department of Education.
The debate is especially heated in California. Some argue that the state could benefit from greater autonomy over education funding, while others, including California Schools Chief Tony Thurmond, warn that the move could exacerbate inequalities and disrupt essential federal programs. It remains to be seen how local schools might fare if control over education funding were shifted closer to home.
Could state control improve education outcomes?
The current federal system, as outlined in a 2022 Brookings Institution report, has failed to show significant improvements in academic performance since the Department of Education’s creation in 1980. According to CalMatters, studies suggest that education outcomes improve when states and local school districts gain more autonomy over funding and decision-making. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (2023) highlights that states are better equipped to manage education funds and protect student privacy, making them more effective than the distant bureaucracy in Washington.
Additionally, federal funds are often mired in red tape, preventing efficient allocation. California, for instance, could redirect these resources more effectively to meet the needs of its diverse student population. The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (2021) reports that the state has the potential to allocate federal funding more fairly, addressing the imbalance that leaves many California schools underfunded.
Concluding thoughts
In conclusion, while Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education faces significant challenges, it has sparked support and debate across various states. Some argue that state control could lead to more efficient education systems and better outcomes, while others warn of potential inequalities. As the conversation continues, the question of whether local control can truly improve education remains uncertain, with much depending on how states manage resources and address the needs of their diverse student populations.
