President Trump Signs Executive Order to Close Department of Education, Return Control to States and Parents

WASHINGTON DC - On March 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled "Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities," initiating steps to close the U.S. Department of Education and transfer its responsibilities to state and local authorities.

The executive order asserts that federal oversight has failed students, teachers, and families, citing substantial expenditures—including approximately $200 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic and an annual $60 billion—without corresponding improvements in educational outcomes. It highlights that 70% of eighth graders are below proficiency in reading, and 72% in math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

To address these issues, the order directs the Secretary of Education to facilitate the department's closure, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of services and benefits during the transition. It emphasizes reallocating functions to appropriate entities, such as transferring the management of the federal student loan portfolio, valued at over $1.6 trillion, to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The order also mandates that any federal education funds must comply with federal law and administration policies, specifically terminating programs associated with "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or those promoting gender ideology.

While the executive order sets forth a plan to dismantle the Department of Education, it acknowledges that full implementation requires congressional approval. The administration anticipates challenges but maintains that returning educational control to states and local communities will lead to more effective and tailored educational outcomes. 

This move aligns with longstanding conservative objectives to reduce federal involvement in education, aiming to empower parents, teachers, and local communities to shape educational policies that best serve their unique needs.