Washington — Multiple sources report that the Donald Trump administration could be discussing an executive order. This order would dismantle the Department of Education — the constitutionality of the order is unknown.
The sources report that the push would come in two parts, and that the executive order would direct the incoming Secretary of Education to plummet the department. President Donald Trump spoke Tuesday on the reporting, and said, “I told Linda, ‘Linda, I hope you do a great job in putting yourself out of a job.’ I want her to put herself out of a job – Education Department.”
Trump was referring to nominee for Dept. of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who has yet to have a confirmation hearing as the Senate Education Committee is awaiting McMahon ethics report.
The constitutionality of a move like this is unclear. It is clear that a move like this would need constitutional approval, but there have been minimal reaction from Capitol Hill. Citing a possible disapproval of the executive order.
The move comes at no surprise considering Trump had made the removal of the department a campaign promise. “We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list,” Trump said, adding that he wants to “let the states run schools.”
Another question– how will schools be funded? Funding for public schools across the nation is approved by congress, and that amounts near $30 billion a year. Most funding goes towards the Title 1 program which assist in funding for low-income families and students with disabilities. If dismantled states will have to pick up the funding, something that remains unclear how exactly this will be completed.
The White House has yet to comment on this, and the exact details have yet to also be confirmed.