President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon are taking bold steps to fix America’s broken schools. They say kids shouldn’t be stuck in failing schools anymore. The plan is to shut down the federal Department of Education and let states take charge. This move comes after years of poor test scores and wasted taxpayer money.
Trump signed an executive order to start closing the department. He blames Washington bureaucrats for sinking billions into schools while reading and math scores keep dropping. Only 39% of fourth graders are good at math. Eighth graders do even worse. McMahon says throwing money at the problem hasn’t worked. It’s time to try something new.
Democrats like Chuck Schumer claim closing the department will hurt kids. They say it will raise taxes and lower school quality. But conservatives argue the real problem is federal control. Schools should answer to parents and local leaders, not DC politicians. The Trump team wants to cut red tape so teachers can focus on basics like math and reading instead of woke ideology.
McMahon is traveling the country to talk with governors. She wants states to share ideas that work. Some states have successful charter schools or voucher programs. These let parents choose better schools for their kids. McMahon says competition will force failing schools to improve or shut down. Every child deserves a chance to succeed, not just those in rich neighborhoods.
The Department of Education once had 4,000 employees. Half have already been laid off. McMahon promises to protect important services like student loans and special education funding. But she’s moving civil rights cases to the Justice Department. Critics worry this will weaken protections. Supporters say it stops activists from pushing radical agendas in schools.
Teachers unions like the AFT are fighting the changes. They claim Trump wants to destroy public education. McMahon calls that nonsense. She says the goal is to free teachers from paperwork so they can teach. Many quit because they’re drowning in regulations. Less bureaucracy means more time helping students.
School choice is a big part of the plan. Trump wants tax dollars to follow students, not systems. That could mean vouchers for private schools or homeschooling funds. States like Florida and Texas have led the way. Now others might copy their success. Parents know best what their kids need.
This is the biggest education shakeup in decades. Trump and McMahon are betting that local control and competition will fix our schools. They say the days of trapping kids in failing classrooms are over. The future belongs to parents, teachers, and communities – not DC bureaucrats.
