the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, President Donald Trump took a significant step toward eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, signing an executive order on Thursday aimed at downsizing the federal agency and shifting education responsibilities back to the states.
While completely abolishing the department requires congressional approval, Trump directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all lawful steps to shrink the agency as much as possible.
A Landmark Move 45 Years in the Making
Speaking at the White House signing ceremony, where school-age children sat at classroom desks, Trump described the order as a historic action:
“Today, we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making. I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the federal Department of Education.”
However, Trump emphasized that certain critical education programs—including Pell Grants, Title I funding, and services for students with disabilities—would be preserved and redistributed to other agencies.
“The department’s useful functions will be fully preserved. But beyond these core necessities, my administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department as quickly as possible.”
Restructuring Begins: Layoffs and Downsizing
Even before the order was signed, the Education Department had already begun reducing its workforce. Earlier this month, McMahon laid off 1,315 employees, cutting the agency’s staff in half. The department, which once had over 4,000 employees, now operates with just over 2,000.
“Trump’s directive to me is clear: shut down the Department of Education. We will have to work with Congress to get that accomplished,” McMahon stated.
Despite these efforts, dismantling the department entirely faces significant hurdles. While GOP lawmakers have introduced bills to eliminate the agency, passing them in the Senate would require 60 votes, a threshold unlikely to be met.
What Happens Next?
✔️ Education Programs Will Be Reassigned
Some federally mandated programs, like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), may be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services.
✔️ Legal Challenges Are Expected
The move has already sparked backlash from educators, unions, and Democrats, who vow to fight the plan in court.
“See you in court,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten in response to the executive order.
✔️ States to Take Over Education Responsibilities
Trump has long argued that education should be controlled at the state level rather than by the federal government.
“We’re ranked very badly. And what I want to do is let the states run schools,” he stated.
Opposition Grows: “A Wrecking Ball to Public Schools”
Critics say that dismantling the Department of Education could harm students, increase class sizes, and cut funding for public schools.
💬 Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, called the executive order a direct attack on public education:
“Trump and Musk are using a wrecking ball on public schools to fund tax handouts for billionaires. Their plan will cut job training programs, raise the cost of higher education, and gut services for students with disabilities.”
The Future of U.S. Education: What’s at Stake?
With legal battles looming and Congress unlikely to approve a full shutdown, the fate of the Department of Education remains uncertain. However, Trump’s executive order signals a major shift in education policy, one that could reshape how American students learn, access funding, and receive essential services.
📢 What do you think? Should education be managed at the state level, or does the federal government play a crucial role? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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The whole education system needs to be looked at. So much wasted taxpayer money being spent on waste: administration and salaries, excessive and needless supplies to name a few
The top management is too heavy,
good finally…looking back what did 15-20 years of education get us? it left most of us in the same spot and confused ande and wasted a lot of our time. We shouldn’t have to send our kids to school at all, but the federal govt wants to control our lives and same with the state. Remember covid when they masked your kids for years when they knew kids were safe. It was all phycological warfare. And ontop of that they wanted your boys to become girls and girls to become boys. the democrats promote the pride thing and they know exactly what they are doing. ANd lets not forget about cRT Critical Race theory hey are teaching kids too.
Once a mf getta understanding to the levels and the rules to the game, then the world aint no trick no more. the world is a game to be played.