Trump's Executive Order on the Department of Education is a Good First Step

Tom Mullen discusses President Trump's recent executive order aimed at restructuring the federal Department of Education.

• President Trump signed an executive order intending to “shut down” the federal Department of Education, reviving a goal that dates back over forty years ago to President Reagan.

• The order aims to transfer administrative functions of public education back to the states while maintaining federal funding for education, including loans and subsidies.

• It does not specify which functions will be transferred or eliminated, giving the Secretary of Education broad discretion to act.

• This move presents challenges as the Department of Education was established by Congress in 1979, and any formal dissolution would require new legislation.

• The order still allows for federal oversight in education by stipulating that federal funds must comply with laws banning discrimination related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) programs, which some argue violate the Civil Rights Act.

• Critics note that future administrations could reverse this order, imposing DEI requirements on educational institutions instead.

While Trump's executive order represents a first step towards reducing federal control in education, significant ambiguities remain regarding its implementation and the potential for future federal mandates. 

https://tommullen.substack.com/p/trumps-executive-order-on-the-department