Trump’s pledge to shut down the Education Department becomes official

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Education Secretary to begin dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise to reduce federal oversight in public education. This action aims to effectively strip the department of its power, with Trump stating it is "doing us no good." Previously, Trump had attempted to reduce the department's workforce and suggested its functions could be absorbed by other agencies, such as the Treasury Department managing federal student loans. The White House cited poor performance on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, with declining reading scores and low international rankings in math, as justification for reducing the department's approximately $80 billion annual discretionary funding. Supporters of the order, including several Republican governors and lawmakers, believe it will enhance education freedom and improve learning outcomes. They argue the department has yielded a poor return on investment, evidenced by low student test scores. Conversely, critics, such as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Parents Union, have condemned the order as an attack on children's education and an assault on their future. They warn that without federal oversight, states could lower standards, divert funds from public schools, and dismantle civil rights protections, leaving students unprepared. The NAACP president also deemed the order unconstitutional, suggesting a disregard for the rule of law and congressional authority.