U.S. President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order today aimed at eliminating the federal Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise to dismantle the agency, which has long irritated conservatives for being perceived as too liberal.
The Department of Education has a limited role in the U.S., as there is no national education system. Instead, each of the 50 states independently manages education within its jurisdiction.
The department, established by Congress in 1979, was partially a product of the civil rights and anti-poverty movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
While Trump’s administration seeks to abolish the department, officials have suggested other agencies could take on its key responsibilities, such as the Department of Justice for civil rights enforcement, and the Department of Treasury or Commerce for student loans and oversight of healthcare for students with disabilities.
However, activists are concerned about the potential impact on the part of the department responsible for ensuring equal access to education for all students. Without the department, there are concerns about whether the federal government will maintain its commitment to vulnerable students, such as those from low-income backgrounds, English learners, students with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.
The final decision to eliminate the Department of Education requires approval from the U.S. Congress.
