US Department of Education to Be Dismantled per Trump’s EO

WASHINGTON — In a sweeping move that could reshape the American education system, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, shifting control of education policies to state and local governments.

Trump’s executive order argues that federal oversight has failed students, citing declining academic performance and bureaucratic inefficiencies. It criticizes the Department of Education as an unnecessary agency that does not directly educate students but instead imposes costly mandates on local school districts. Trump’s order highlights excessive federal spending—particularly in the wake of pandemic-era education relief—and proposes reallocating student loan management to another federal entity better equipped for financial oversight.

A Shift Away from Federal Oversight

Under the order, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon must initiate steps to dissolve the department while ensuring a “smooth transition” of its responsibilities. However, the directive mandates strict compliance with federal law. It specifically prohibits funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and gender-related programs.

“This is about putting control of education back in the hands of parents and local communities, where it belongs,” Trump said. “The federal government has failed our students for too long.”

National Parents Union Warns of Harm to Marginalized Students as Federal Protections Weaken

The decision has sparked intense criticism from education advocates, civil rights organizations, and parents’ groups. The National Parents Union (NPU) issued a statement condemning the order, warning of dire consequences for marginalized students.

“Today, the Trump Administration is sending education back to the states. Every parent in America should be alarmed,” the organization stated. “The U.S. Department of Education has been a crucial backstop in ensuring children are not denied their right to a safe and equitable education. If Trump and his allies succeed, the progress made over decades of civil rights enforcement will be unraveled overnight.”

NPU argues that removing federal oversight will worsen existing inequities. It warns that states with discriminatory histories may roll back protections for students with disabilities, low-income families, and students of color.

“States have spent years resisting desegregation, ignoring the needs of students with disabilities, and implementing punitive policies that disproportionately harm Black, Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ students,” the statement continued. “Without federal intervention, history tells us exactly what will happen: schools will become more segregated, and vulnerable students will be left behind.”

Alpha Phi Alpha Joins Opposition, Calls for Legal Action and Political Mobilization

In lockstep with NPU, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the oldest historically Black fraternity within the “Divine Nine,” strongly condemned President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, urging state attorneys general to challenge the decision.

In a statement, the fraternity described the move as “part of a larger agenda to eliminate educational opportunities for marginalized and underserved students, particularly those who are poor, racially marginalized, and living with disabilities, as well as to dramatically decrease those able to afford and pursue a college education and prevent the enforcement of civil rights and educational equity.”

The organization urged its chapter presidents to contact their congressional representatives and senators. It pledged to document their responses in an initiative titled “Voteless People is a Hopeless People.”

Political and Legal Implications of Dismantling US Department of Education

Opponents are expect challenges to Trump’s order in court, as dissolving a federal agency likely requires congressional approval. Opponents argue that eliminating the Department of Education without a clear plan for protecting students’ rights could create chaos. They warn that school funding for special education, Title IX protections, and low-income students would be at risk.

Education policy experts also point to the role the federal government has played in enforcing landmark civil rights laws, such as Brown v. Board of Education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Without federal oversight, they warn, states may weaken protections that ensure equal access to education.

As states assume new responsibilities, uncertainty remains over maintaining programs. Families relying on federal protections face an ongoing battle.