Trump Administration Moves to Shift Education Control to States

The Trump administration has initiated steps to reduce the federal government’s role in education by transferring more authority to state and local governments. The White House confirmed the move as part of an effort to decentralize American education policy.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to close “to the maximum extent” allowed by law. According to the administration, the plan will return decision-making power to states while streamlining federal education functions and reducing administrative burdens on schools.

As part of the transition, the Department of Education will work with other federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, to transfer its current responsibilities. These responsibilities include administering student loans, enforcing civil rights laws, and managing federal funding for children and students with disabilities.

The Department of Education, established by Congress in 1979, has long been a target of conservative critics who argue it represents federal overreach and bureaucratic inefficiency. The current initiative aligns with long-standing Republican goals to shrink federal oversight in education.

While federal law already limits the department’s influence over school curricula, most public school funding and policy decisions are managed by state and local authorities. This restructuring seeks to reinforce their central role in shaping education.

Officials stated that the transition will be gradual and coordinated to minimize disruption for schools, teachers, and students.