
Trump’s Draft Order Proposes Closure of U.S. Department of Education
President Trump has sparked significant controversy with a draft executive order outlining a plan to close the U.S. Department of Education. The document, obtained by multiple news outlets, suggests a radical shift in federal education policy, proposing to redistribute the department's responsibilities to states and other federal agencies. This move, if implemented, would mark a historic devolution of federal oversight in education, stirring debate among educators, policymakers, and students across the country.
The proposal comes amidst ongoing discussions about the role of the federal government in education, with critics arguing that the Department of Education has become too bureaucratic and ineffective. Proponents of the closure believe that returning control to states could lead to more tailored education policies, though opponents fear it may exacerbate educational inequalities. The draft also hints at the potential reassignment of student loan programs to other departments, adding another layer of complexity to the debate.
Reactions have been swift, with educational institutions and advocacy groups voicing concerns over the potential impacts on student support and federal aid programs. As the nation awaits further details and official statements from the Trump administration, the future of the U.S. Department of Education hangs in the balance, potentially reshaping the landscape of American education.
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Was the Department of Education created by Executive Order?
Although the Department is a relative newcomer among Cabinet-level agencies, its origins goes back to 1867, when President Andrew Johnson signed legislation creating the first Department of Education.
Why was the Department of Education created?
The original Education Department was created in 1867 as a way to collect information on schools to help the country create effective school systems. The mission of the agency was expanded and revised during World War II and subsequently the civil rights movements in the 1960s and 1970s.
How was the Department of Education created?
How was the Education Department created? Congress created the current Cabinet-level department in 1979 through bipartisan legislation that consolidated various educational programs that were previously spread across different agencies. More: Jimmy Carter created the modern Education Department.
What will happen to student loans if the Department of Education is closed?
If this takes place, student loans would likely be transferred to the Department of the Treasury, experts say. 'Even if the loans were to move to a different agency, the terms and conditions would not change. This would not get rid of Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs (PSLF), for example.