Erika Donalds on Trump's Executive Order to Eliminate the Department of Education

Executive Order to Eliminate Department of Education

• 🎯 President Trump is initiating the process to eliminate the Department of Education through an executive order, with final elimination requiring Congressional approval.
• 💡 The order aims to cut functions not requiring Congressional approval, potentially impacting over 4,000 employees.
• ⚠️ Critics argue this move dismantles public education and harms students, particularly those of color.

Declining Educational Outcomes and Spending

• 📊 Since the Department of Education's creation in 1979, $33 trillion has been spent, yet test scores, such as math proficiency, have declined.
• 📈 Spending has increased, but primarily on a bloated bureaucracy at federal, state, and local levels, rather than direct student benefit.
• 💰 The funds are seen as a jobs program, benefiting union members rather than students or taxpayers.

Historical Precedent and Reagan's Vision

• 🏛️ The idea of dismantling the Department of Education dates back to Ronald Reagan, who proposed similar budget cuts.
• 🔑 Reagan aimed to eliminate ineffective subsidies and dismantle departments to realize major savings.

Measuring Merit and Parental Choice

• 📍 Accountability for school systems should lie at the local level, with parents being the most direct oversight.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The executive order aims to put funds directly into parents' hands to expand school choice, potentially favoring non-unionized schools that outperform public counterparts.
• ✅ Transparency and parental measurement of excellence are key to holding schools accountable.

Legislative Path and Timeline

• ⏳ Legislation to dismantle the department has been filed in both the House and Senate, but it is expected to be a piecemeal process that could take up to four years.
• 🤝 Success will require Congressional participation and negotiation, potentially needing 60 votes in the Senate from Democrats.
• 🌟 Despite challenges, the promise to eliminate the department is expected to be fulfilled.