Promises made. Promises kept. Since assuming office, President Trump has signed a significant number of executive orders aimed at fulfilling his campaign commitments. Among his latest moves is the controversial executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This action reflects his stance on reducing federal oversight in education, promoting a more decentralized system, and empowering states with greater control over their educational policies. With each executive order, President Trump continues to reshape the government, striving to implement the reforms he promised during his campaign. Photo credit : Trump White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 20, 2025 – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.
The move signals a historic rollback of federal involvement in public education and fulfills a long-standing conservative goal to return decision-making power to states and local governments.
The order, signed during a White House ceremony, reflects the administration’s broader mission to shrink federal oversight and increase state autonomy in key domestic policy areas.
A Long-Standing Conservative Goal
Established in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education has frequently come under criticism from Republicans who argue it oversteps federal boundaries and imposes a one-size-fits-all approach on diverse school systems.
“We’re going to be returning education, very simply, back to the states where it belongs,” President Trump said during the signing. The administration believes local governments and parents are better positioned to determine what’s best for students in their communities.
Key Components of the Executive Order
The executive order initiates a phased plan to shift key functions and reduce the department’s footprint:
• Workforce Reductions: More than 1,300 federal education employees have already been laid off, with additional staffing cuts expected.
• Transfer of Programs to States: Oversight of Title I funding for low-income students, special education services under IDEA, and other key programs will gradually move to state-level control.
• Student Aid Oversight: While Pell Grants and federal student loans will remain intact for now, the administration is evaluating whether to move their administration to the U.S. Treasury Department or outsource them to private entities.
• Regulatory Review: A full audit of existing federal education mandates is underway, with the goal of eliminating regulations viewed as inefficient or duplicative.
Strong Reactions Across the Education Spectrum
Supporters of the executive order argue that returning power to the states will lead to more responsive, innovative, and locally accountable school systems. They see it as a restoration of constitutional balance in education governance.
However, critics have voiced strong opposition. The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest teachers’ union, has warned that the order could have far-reaching consequences for student equity and school resources.
NEA President Becky Pringle stated that the move would “send class sizes soaring, take away support for students with disabilities, and cut job training programs.” The union further warned that dismantling the department could “destroy programs and protections that guarantee educational opportunities for all students,” particularly those in communities already facing systemic challenges.
Civil rights advocates have also raised concerns about whether states will uphold essential protections for marginalized students without federal oversight.
Legal and Legislative Challenges
While the executive order sets a new policy direction, fully abolishing the Department of Education would require congressional approval. Legal challenges are also expected, particularly regarding federal responsibilities for civil rights enforcement and education funding obligations.
Uncertain Path Forward for U.S. Schools
President Trump’s executive order represents a profound shift in how education policy will be shaped and implemented in the years to come. As the federal government steps back, the responsibility will increasingly fall on states and local districts to manage everything from funding and curriculum to equity and accountability.
For immigrant communities—including Filipino American families—the stakes are especially high. Many rely on public education and federal aid programs to access opportunities and build brighter futures. Local leaders caution that uneven implementation across states could exacerbate educational disparities and limit access to essential services.
As the nation watches how the order unfolds, the future of U.S. public education remains uncertain—defined by competing visions of governance, equity, and accountability.