On March 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at shifting the control of education from the federal government back to families and states. The order directs the Secretary of Education to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and emphasizes that any remaining federal funds should not support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives or gender ideology. This decision follows criticisms of the Department’s effectiveness, highlighting that despite significant federal spending, student achievement has not improved, particularly in mathematics and reading.

The article notes that since the establishment of the Department of Education in 1979, over $3 trillion has been spent without notable improvements in standardized test scores. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional $200 billion was allocated to education, yet significant learning losses were reported, with some schools showing no proficient students in critical subjects like mathematics. The Trump Administration claims that federal education policies have led to increased regulations and costs that detract from schools’ core mission to educate students.

President Trump advocates for a reimagined education system where parents have the freedom to choose the type of educational institution for their children, whether public, private, charter, or faith-based. He believes that empowering parents and dismantling federal oversight will lead to better educational outcomes. The Executive Order is part of a broader vision to enhance educational freedom and address perceived failures in the current federally driven educational model.

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