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Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act, aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The move reflects President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promise to close the department and transfer its functions to other federal agencies. “The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student,” Rounds said, emphasizing the need for local control over education.
During his campaign, Trump called for the closure of the Department of Education, citing inefficiencies and overreach. “We want federal education dollars to follow the student, instead of maintaining a bloated and radical bureaucracy in Washington, DC,” he stated. Trump further criticized the department for “indoctrinating young people” and promised to “drain the government’s education swamp.”
Established in 1980 under the Department of Education Organization Act, the agency consolidated multiple federal education-focused entities. However, federal involvement in education dates back to the 19th century. Today, the department oversees $79 billion in annual funding for education programs, a modest share of the overall federal budget.
Rounds argued that the Ministry of Education’s budget has increased by 449% since its inception. Despite spending $16,000 per student annually, standardized test scores have declined over the past decade. “For years I have been working to get rid of the federal Department of Education,” Rounds noted, praising Trump’s alignment with this vision.
If passed, the bill would redistribute the department’s responsibilities among multiple federal agencies, including Interior, Treasury, and Health and Human Services. However, experts warn that this could disrupt critical supervision of vulnerable students, especially students with disabilities, raising concerns about equity and program continuity.
Critics argue that eliminating or underfunding the Department of Education could harm programs for vulnerable students. Advocates worry about reduced oversight of federal student loans, special education programs and financial aid, potentially widening disparities in education quality across the country.
Trump has announced Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration, as his nominee for education secretary. He praised her as a “fierce advocate” for school choice. However, the National Education Association criticized her appointment, claiming her agenda undermines public schools and prioritizes privatization over student success.
The National Education Association, which represents public school teachers, rejected McMahon’s nomination. They accused Trump of prioritizing dismantling public schools over improving them, stating, “Her sole mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take taxpayer dollars away from public schools.”
The future of the proposal in Congress remains unclear, as support for such a major restructuring is divided. While some lawmakers are rallying behind Rounds and Trump, others are highlighting the risks of abruptly dismantling a critical federal agency without a comprehensive plan to protect existing programs.
The debate highlights the tensions between local control and federal oversight of education. Proponents of the bill emphasize strengthening states, while critics warn about the loss of crucial safeguards for equity and access. The outcome could significantly reshape the country’s education landscape.
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