President-elect Donald Trump has renewed his push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, announcing plans to “close it up” and transfer education control to state governments.
But what would this dramatic change actually mean for America’s schools?
Key Points From Trump’s Latest Education Proposal
In a new campaign video, Trump declared his intention to “end education coming out of Washington, DC” and return control to the states.
The announcement aligns with long-standing Republican goals and echoes similar proposals from other 2024 GOP candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, and Mike Pence.
Donald Trump announces his 10-point plan to rebuild America's school system,
— 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒 (@Antunes1) November 9, 2024
Among others, promises to bring back 'school prayer. ' pic.twitter.com/oeEXgNRX9A
Current State vs. Federal Control: What Many Don’t Realize
Here’s the surprising reality: eliminating the Department of Education wouldn’t significantly increase state power over K-12 education.
Why? Because states and local school boards already control most crucial aspects of education, including:
- Setting curriculum standards
- Establishing schools
- Determining student enrollment criteria
- Implementing school choice policies
- Making decisions about school operations
What Does The Department Of Education Do?
The federal education department primarily:
- Administers federal funding
- Manages student loan programs
- Oversees higher education accountability
- Provides national education leadership
- Distributes Congressional appropriations
Historical Context
This isn’t Trump’s first attempt to reshape federal education oversight.
During his presidency, he:
- Proposed merging Education and Labor departments
- Attempted to reduce the Education Department’s budget
- Supported various Republican efforts to eliminate the department since its 1980 establishment
Education As A Campaign Focus
The proposal comes amid heightened focus on education in the 2024 campaign.
Trump’s broader education platform includes:
- Implementing restrictions on certain curriculum content
- Introducing prayer in public schools
- Emphasizing patriotic education
- Expanding student internship opportunities
- Increasing parental control over school choice and administration
Social Media Reacts To Trump’s Department Of Education Proposal
Social media is buzzing and outrage is flowing through the streets of Twitter as reactions to Donald Trump’s education proposal pour in.
Read a few tweets below.
applied to go back to school and then the country elected someone who wants to get rid of the department of education pic.twitter.com/jF6pKp72m9
— coldilocks ❄️✨ (@breisshe) November 11, 2024
No, you can't change your vote. You voted with good conscience & will. You didn't make a mistake. You made a decision. Googling tariff is not going to help. Googling department of education now is not going to help. Googling Project 2025 is not going to help. Stand on your vote.
— 👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) November 11, 2024
Trump has officially announced he’s getting rid of the Department of Education. Honestly this is what’s done it for me. You’re an imbecile if you didn’t vote against this dude. Fucking idiots. Y’all have no clue of the ramifications. No fucking idea. Assholes man. Poor kids
— Rich (@richplow) November 11, 2024
Closing the Department of Education is a blatant attack on Black students’ equal opportunities.
— Allison Wiltz Psy.M. (@queenie4rmnola) November 11, 2024
Umm if the department of education doesn’t exist then neither do my student loans
— Terrance A. Sullivan (@TASullivan) November 11, 2024
Since the department of education is going away, how do kids that require federal student aid pay for college?
— Pam Keith, Esq. (@PamKeithFL) November 10, 2024
Pell grants are gone. Head start is gone. Special Ed funding is gone.
I’m just curious about the Plan B for everyone.
Project2025: the draft reinstated. Your college loans, reinstated. Your rights, gone,Department of Education, gone.
— vinniemontoya🌻 (@PiperDewn) November 11, 2024
Every single thing they propose, hurts people. Nothing to help anyone.
Trump just said he’s going to eliminate the Department of Education. He didn’t give you a how or what happens with the necessary funding for your children that come department. He just gonna put locks on the doors.
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) November 11, 2024
Y’all voted for these next 4 years.
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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