Momentum to Dismantle Education Department Slows as McMahon Acts Internally

Efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education seem to have slowed down a bit. Back in March, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at taking apart this federal department. However, despite this move, the department has still been working on projects like tackling gender ideology in federally funded school curriculums, and there’s been a focus on Title IX investigations.

Communication from the Arizona Education Department shared with The Center Square that there’s not much new information from the federal government about the status of the Department of Education. Many Republicans argue that this department is a financial drain and believe education decisions should be made at the state and local levels. This idea resonates with a lot of conservative parents who want more control over their children’s education.

Some experts worry about the potential negative impacts of such changes. Leslie Babinski, a research professor, pointed out that changes in funding could affect 7.4 million students with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of federal support, especially for students in rural areas where local tax bases might not be sufficient.

A significant part of the push is about giving more power back to the states. Babinski mentioned that only about 10% of public school funding comes from the federal government. States already handle local funding, but there’s a push for “block grants,” which would provide federal funding to states for broadly defined purposes.

Babinski highlighted the potential risks of leaving decisions entirely up to states, as they might not prioritize low-income communities or students with disabilities. Despite these concerns, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon assured that dismantling the department won’t mean cutting funding for essential programs. McMahon emphasized that funding for these programs is appropriated by Congress and will remain intact.

Linda McMahon’s assurance was meant to calm fears among parents, teachers, and students. She stated that the president’s plan wouldn’t lead to defunding crucial educational programs. Meanwhile, some education officials believe the U.S. Department of Education doesn’t serve a useful purpose.

Tom Horne, Arizona’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, argued that closing the department wouldn’t result in a loss of federal funds for Arizona. He noted that national test scores in reading, writing, and math have declined over the past 40 years despite the department’s existence. Horne believes the funds used to run the department would be better spent directly on local schools.

A White House report from the Office of Management and Budget highlighted that over half of the department’s employees don’t regularly come into the office. Horne criticized this as a waste of taxpayer dollars and said it sets a poor example for teachers and students. He stressed that education should be driven by a passion for academic excellence, which he doesn’t see in the current department.

The Center Square reached out to the White House and the Department of Education for comments but hasn’t received a response regarding whether dismantling the department remains a priority. This lack of communication leaves many wondering about the future direction of federal education policy.