Trump’s Bold Plan to Dismantle the US Education Department Sparks Fierce Debate
President Donald Trump has unveiled six new interagency agreements aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The plan involves shifting its responsibilities to other federal agencies, including Labor, Interior, and Health and Human Services. Supporters argue the move will cut bureaucracy, while critics warn it could weaken education protections for vulnerable students.
The proposed changes would redistribute the Department of Education’s functions to multiple federal bodies. K-12 and higher education programmes would move to agencies like Labor, which already collaborates with the department on workforce development. Officials claim this integration has worked well in creating a unified education and employment system.
The Freedom Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, backs the reform. They believe it will empower states—particularly those with liberal education policies—to take greater control. The organization has also helped over 35,000 public employees, including teachers, leave their unions since the 2018 Janus ruling. Last year alone, union opt-outs rose by 17%.
Opposition has been swift. The Washington Education Association (WEA) argues the plan will strip away vital funding and oversight, especially for low-income students. They accuse the Freedom Foundation of undermining student success by pushing teachers to abandon unions. Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, echoed concerns, stating the shift would increase federal meddling in schools and create unnecessary confusion.
The agreements mark a major step toward reducing the federal government’s role in education. If implemented, states will gain broader authority over K-12 and higher education programmes. Meanwhile, unions and education advocates continue to resist, warning of potential harm to students and schools.
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