Draft Executive Order Could Lead to Closure of U.S. Department of Education

Toledo, Ohio — A draft executive order circulating this week has raised questions about the future of the U.S. Department of Education. According to sources familiar with the matter, the draft directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin facilitating the closure of the federal agency. The Department of Education, which employs over 4,000 individuals, is a major player in the U.S. educational landscape, overseeing an annual budget of $251 billion.

President Donald Trump has long expressed his desire to shift control of education back to the states, a stance that would diminish the federal government’s role in shaping policies that affect schools across the country. This draft executive order, if carried out, would be one of the most significant moves toward fulfilling that goal, signaling a sharp departure from decades of federal involvement in education.

While the closure of such a large federal agency would be unprecedented, the mechanics of the process remain unclear. Sources have noted that it is not yet certain how Secretary McMahon would go about dismantling the department. Abolishing a federal agency requires Congressional approval, a significant hurdle that could delay or prevent the closure.

If the executive order moves forward, many questions will remain unanswered, such as what would happen to the numerous education programs funded by the federal government, or how state governments would take on the additional responsibility. States would likely need to take on the funding and regulation of programs like student loans, school grants, and federal oversight of K-12 education, potentially creating significant disparities between states with different educational priorities and budgets.

The proposed closure of the Department of Education comes amid ongoing debates about the role of federal oversight in education and whether the national government should be involved in setting standards for schools. President Trump has repeatedly called for a more decentralized approach, believing that state governments are better equipped to meet the needs of their local populations.

However, critics warn that removing federal oversight could lead to a fragmentation of educational quality across the country. Without federal guidelines and funding, low-income and rural communities may suffer the most, as states with fewer resources may struggle to maintain a high standard of education.

As the draft executive order gains attention, all eyes will be on Congress, which will ultimately have to approve any plan to dismantle the Department of Education. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expected to weigh in on the matter in the coming weeks.

The future of the Department of Education remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: any move to close or drastically reduce the department would have wide-reaching consequences for the future of American education.