U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, citing decades of poor performance despite massive federal spending. He assured that essential programs like Pell Grants and Title I funding for children with disabilities would be preserved and reassigned to other agencies.
Calling the move “45 years in the making,” Trump argued that the federal education system had failed to deliver results, pointing to stagnant standardized test scores and declining proficiency levels in math and reading. He blamed excessive bureaucracy and inefficiency, stating that the department’s budget had ballooned without meaningful improvements in student outcomes.
Trump also highlighted statistics showing U.S. students ranking poorly in global education assessments, particularly in math. He criticized failing schools in cities like Baltimore, where he claimed many students lack basic arithmetic skills.
Under the new plan, Trump aims to return control of education to individual states, believing they can better tailor policies to student needs. While defunding and downsizing the Department of Education, he assured that funding for students with disabilities and low-income families would remain intact.
“This is a commonsense move that will return education to the states, where it belongs,” Trump said. “Governors and local leaders will have the power to make education better and more cost-effective.”
Toward the end of his remarks, Trump made a personal appeal to teachers, stating that his administration would ensure their well-being, regardless of union affiliations. He expressed confidence that the transition would lead to improved education outcomes and greater efficiency in the system.
