President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping plan to dismantle the Department of Education, marking a seismic shift in federal education policy. Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO and Trump administration official, has been tapped to oversee the department’s closure and redistribute its functions to state and local authorities.
“One thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work it needs back to the states,” Trump said in a September 2023 video. The department, established under President Jimmy Carter in 1979, currently manages $28 billion annually in support for low-income students and those with disabilities.
Trump has criticized the agency as being dominated by “radicals, zealots, and Marxists,” vowing to eliminate federal funding for schools and colleges that, in his words, “promote critical race theory, gender ideology, and inappropriate political content.”
Six Key Initiatives
Trump’s education reform plan includes six significant initiatives:
- Eliminating the Department of Education and redistributing its programs to state governments.
- Restricting classroom discussions on race, gender, and sexuality.
- Creating a new teacher credentialing system for educators who embrace “patriotic values.”
- Implementing universal school choice nationwide.
- Ending teacher tenure to increase accountability.
- Establishing a tuition-free “American Academy” university-funded through lawsuits and fines against private institutions.
The plan also involves shifting federal K-12 funding programs to other federal agencies and introducing a universal school choice program, which would allow parents to use public funds for private or religious schools.
McMahon’s Appointment
McMahon, who served as the Small Business Administration administrator during Trump’s first term, faces the daunting task of implementing these changes. While she has extensive leadership experience, including helming a multi-billion-dollar entertainment company, her direct involvement in education policy is limited to a brief stint on Connecticut’s Board of Education in 2009. Critics have questioned her qualifications for overseeing such a significant overhaul, while supporters argue her managerial expertise could bring a fresh perspective.
Controversial Reforms
The plan includes undoing Biden-era Title IX rules that expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students, with the stated goal of barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. Trump has also pledged to use the Office for Civil Rights to pressure federally funded schools to restrict teaching about critical race theory and gender identity.
A proposed new credentialing body would certify teachers who promote “patriotic values and support the American Way of Life.” The controversial 1776 Commission, disbanded early in Biden’s presidency, would also be reinstated to align history curricula with specific interpretations of America’s founding values.
Schools and states that adopt Trump’s vision, including merit-based teacher pay and a “Parental Bill of Rights,” would receive additional federal support. This includes funding boosts for states that end teacher tenure and implement universal school choice programs.
Implementation Challenges
Eliminating the Department of Education would require congressional approval and significant restructuring of federal programs, including transferring financial distribution responsibilities and student loan management. Critics warn these changes could disrupt services for vulnerable student populations, including low-income families and children with disabilities.
Broader Implications
Supporters of Trump’s plan argue it will empower parents and local communities to take greater control over education. Opponents contend it could exacerbate inequalities and undermine public schools while prioritizing ideology over educational outcomes.
With Trump’s administration set to take office in January 2025, the proposed education reforms indicate a significant transformation in federal policy, likely sparking intense debates about the direction of American education.
