Trump Administration Moves Step Closer to Dismantling Department of Education

It’s not every day when a department of the federal government is actively and vocally advocating for its own closure – but that’s what’s happening these days within the Department of Education.

Linda McMahon, who heads up the department, released a video this week offering proof of just how unnecessary the bloated bureaucratic government group really is.

“The Federal Department of Education furloughed 90% of its staff, and what happened?” asked the secretary. “Nothing. Schools stayed open, students went to class, teachers got paid. The shutdown proved our schools don’t depend on Washington bureaucracy to function.”

Just yesterday, the department released a video highlighting past pledges and promises to shut down the agency. It’s produced with dramatic music and calendar graphic that begins in 1980.

“I would like to dissolve the 10-billion-dollar National Department of Education created by President Carter,” declared Ronald Reagan during his 1980 campaign for president. We then jump to the Gipper in 1983, observing, “But better education doesn’t mean a bigger Department of Education. In fact, that department should be abolished.”

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush stated, “I can assure you that teachers don’t want to waste their time making their way through a maze of regulations.” By 1996, Senator Bob Dole was asked during a debate with President Clinton, “Do you still favor eliminating the Department of Education?” He answered, “Yes.”

In 2002, President George W. Bush stated, “We believe strongly that the best path to education reform is to trust the local people.” In 2008, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich opined, “We have to literally erase the board and rethink from the ground up.” Rep. Rand Paul said in 2012, “There’s no authority for the federal government to be involved in education.” 

Despite the steady and consistent rhetoric and near unanimous conservative support for shutting down federal oversight of public education for decades, nothing ever happened.

But now President Trump says he’s committed to making it happen. “My administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department,” he recently pledged. “We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible.”

On Tuesday, the department announced steps they say will lead to the agency’s dismantlement.

Six new interagency agreements with four agencies were announced – basically a shifting of responsibilities and oversight to other federal agencies and then also down to the state level.

“Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission,” declared Secretary McMahon. “As we partner with these agencies to improve federal programs, we will continue to gather best practices in each state through our 50-state tour, empower local leaders in K-12 education, restore excellence to higher education, and work with Congress to codify these reforms. Together, we will refocus education on students, families, and schools – ensuring federal taxpayer spending is supporting a world-class education system.” 

Critics of the changes often cite – without evidence – that the decentralization will negatively impact students and the various services and schooling they currently enjoy. Yet, many of the same people voicing concern about the Trump administration’s commitment to reimagining and revamping public education by empowering states and local school boards ignore the dire condition of public education itself.

Whether dealing with declining academic performance, shoddy or downright offensive curriculum, unqualified teachers, or outdated policies that make it more difficult to educate children, the federal government has demonstrated that children in the classroom will be better served by their state rather than by the federal version of Big Brother.

Secretary Linda McMahon is trying to work herself out of a job at the same time many bureaucrats are trying to save their own. A former executive with professional wrestling, she appears well-suited for a tussle of epic proportions.

Image from Getty.