Trump prepares order to abolish US Education Department
What's the story
President Donald Trump is readying an executive action to dismantle the United States Department of Education, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
The draft action directs newly-confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education."
Trump has repeatedly called for the department's elimination, describing it as a "big con job." He suggested closing it during his first term as president, but Congress did not act.
Statutory acknowledgment
Executive action acknowledges statutory protections
The draft order justifies its proposal by saying that since its inception in 1979, the department has spent over $1 trillion without any significant improvement in student reading and mathematics scores.
The action declares "the experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars ... has failed our children."
Federal funding makes up about 10% of public school funding, mostly benefiting low-income communities and students with disabilities.
Funding assurance
McMahon assures key funding streams will remain
However, during her confirmation hearing on Monday, McMahon assured dismantling the department wouldn't affect key funding streams like Title I and IDEA.
She suggested IDEA funding could be managed by another agency, like the Department of Health and Human Services.
A recent poll commissioned by New America reveals 55% Americans oppose Trump's proposal to eliminate the department.
The poll indicates strong opposition across political lines, with 89% Democrats and 54% Independents against it.
Responsibility shift
Department regulates over 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools
Trump has attempted to defund federal programs and organizations such as the US Agency for International Development without congressional approval, but closing the Department of Education would be his first shutdown of a cabinet-level agency.
The department regulates over 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools, with state and local governments providing more than 85% of public school financing.
It also oversees the $1.6 trillion in student loans owed by millions of Americans who cannot afford to pay for college.