President Donald Trump signed an order to close the Department of Education. This step was part of his promise during the election. His plan is to give more control over education back to the states.
At the White House, Trump said he asked Education Secretary Linda McMahon to close the department as soon as possible. However, Congress must approve before it can be fully dissolved. The order will keep only key parts like Pell Grants, Title I funding, and support for children with disabilities.
In July, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to continue with his plan. This decision will affect 1,400 workers who may lose their jobs. The legal process is still ongoing in lower courts.
Reaction from the Education Secretary
Linda McMahon said the Supreme Court decision was a big win for students and families. After the ruling, she plans to move fast to meet Trump’s goal.
She posted that the department will now focus on improving American education. Her aim is to bring back strong learning standards.
Why Do Some Want to End the Education Department?
The Education Department is one of the smallest in the U.S. government. It uses only about 2% to 4% of all federal money. It was created in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.
For many years, some Republicans have wanted to shut it down. They believe the federal government should not control schools. They also disagree with what they see as liberal ideas in colleges and schools. Recent debates over race and LGBTQ+ rights added to these concerns.
What Does the Education Department Do?
The department’s goal is to help students succeed and make education equal for everyone. It works to improve learning in schools and colleges across the country.
It has a budget of about $238 billion. It serves nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million students. It also helps over 12 million college students with loans and grants.
Main Offices in the Department
Here are the main parts of the department and what they do:
| Office Name | Main Work |
| Elementary and Secondary Education | Helps states and districts improve K-12 education |
| Federal Student Aid | Manages student loans, grants, and work-study programs |
| Special Education and Rehabilitative Services | Supports students with disabilities |
| Civil Rights | Stops discrimination based on sex, race, religion, or disability |
| Education Sciences | Researches student performance and school quality |
| English Language Acquisition | Supports students learning English |
| Career, Technical, and Adult Education | Helps with career programs and adult learning |
Major Federal Programs in Education
Most school funding comes from states and local taxes, not from the federal government. The federal government provides about 10% of school funding.
Here are some of the biggest federal programs:
K-12 Education
- Title I: $18 billion to help schools with many low-income students.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): $15 billion to support special education.
- School Improvement Programs: $6 billion for schools with new plans to improve learning.
- Title II: $2 billion for teacher training.
Higher Education
- Financial Aid: $114 billion for college loans, grants, and work-study.
- Pell Grants: $30 billion to help low-income students pay for college. Maximum grant is $7,395.
- Career and Technical Education: $2 billion for job and skill training.
Other Education Programs (Outside the Department)
- Head Start: Early learning for low-income children (run by Health and Human Services).
- National School Lunch Program: Helps schools give meals (run by Agriculture Department).
- Bureau of Indian Education: Runs schools on tribal lands (run by Interior Department).
- GI Bill: Education benefits for military members (run by Veterans Affairs).
Civil Rights and Research
The department also protects students’ civil rights. It makes sure schools do not discriminate based on race, sex, disability, or religion. Each government can change how these rules are enforced.
It also does research to see how students are doing. The National Assessment of Educational Progress gives a national report card on reading, math, science, and social studies.
