Donald Trump is serious about shrinking the federal government. He has repeatedly mentioned that one of the first departments to receive the pink slip is Education. The Department of Education was created in 1979 by Jimmy Carter and has spent billions of dollars on failed public schools. Comparing 71 worldwide school systems, the United States ranks 38th in math and science, considering that the United States is the most powerful country in the world. Additionally, many urban schools have students who cannot read at grade level. No wonder Elon Musk could send a rocket and have it returned in one piece, but the government staffed by citizens could not.
Trump is quoted as saying the U.S. spends more money on education with abysmal results. Taxpayer money flows from the Department of Education in numbers that numb the mind. Some of the expenditures from the 2025 budget are as follows:
- 8 billion in grants for accelerated and achievement grants
- 6 billion for Title One. Title One is earmarked for lower education areas, and 90% of the country receives a part of this waste
- 25 million for mandated preschool
- 216 million for mental health
- 200 million for the Safer Communities Act
- 90 million for effective teaching development; 90 million for teacher quality; 30 million to an excellence center; and 173 million for teacher retention
The list goes on, but what is clear is that there is a lot of funding with little or no accountability. Trump’s plan to return the education administration to the states will force local authorities to examine the common refrain that more money will equal quality education. Since 1979, the United States has believed that schools are underfunded, but the fallacy is that more money does not equate to better education. Letting the states determine investment v. s. return increases the chances for success. Some states will do well, others will not. However, poorly rated schools will not drag down those doing well by a national mandate under the auspices of a federal department. Remember the abysmal failure of President Bush’s ‘No Child Left Behind’ Act?
Positive Elements of Decentralizing Education
First, by removing education from federal control, whichever party is in power will have less chance to promote propaganda nationwide, as we have seen lately in public schools. Minnesota can still have tampons in the boy’s bathroom if they want, but the voters of Florida will have the right not to. The same holds for male and female sports. Currently, the Department of Education acts as a civil rights division whereby progressive parts of the country dictate what conservatives might reject as a necessary education component.
Secondly, by removing education from national control, the chance for alternative schools such as parochial, private, and charter schools have a better chance of attracting students. Direct competition between private and public can only help increase efficiency and strategies to help students have a more suitable learning environment.
Lastly, removing education from Washington will inevitably affect lobbyists and the power of national teacher unions. These national unions have had a disproportional influence in the federal and state governments for too long.
Trump’s proposal is essential for the country because it will signify that he is earnest about shrinking the federal government and giving the states more say in day-to-day issues. It will save money and return education to the local areas where it belongs.
Trump proposes a government for the people instead of a system that only benefits a few government members and the educational graft machine. Axing the Department of Education is a good start.