Trump seeks to dismantle Education Department citing $3T spend

Published 20/03/2025, 20:44
© Reuters

President Donald J. Trump has called for a major overhaul of the U.S. Department of Education, pointing to a lack of tangible improvements in student performance despite significant financial investments over the years. Since its establishment in 1979, the Department has expended over $3 trillion, a figure that Trump argues has not yielded measurable progress in educational outcomes.

The President highlighted several indicators of what he perceives as the Department’s failure to enhance student achievement. Among these are the lowest math and reading scores for 13-year-olds in decades, a majority of fourth and eighth graders not proficient in math, and similarly dismal proficiency levels in reading, with 40% of fourth graders not meeting basic reading standards. Moreover, standardized test scores have stagnated over time, and in international comparisons, U.S. students rank 28th out of 37 OECD member countries in math.

In response to these findings, the Trump Administration is proposing a shift in educational governance away from the federal government to individual states. Trump and his administration argue that states are better positioned to create and implement effective educational programs tailored to their specific populations and needs.

The Administration’s plan advocates for a reduction in federal oversight, suggesting that the current system’s regulatory and paperwork requirements hinder schools’ ability to operate effectively. Instead, Trump believes that states should be given more authority to foster educational freedom and expand opportunities for families.

The President’s critique of the current educational system is encapsulated in his rhetorical question, "Why would we keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result?" This question underscores his administration’s intent to pursue a different approach to education policy, with the goal of achieving better outcomes for American students.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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