Trump plans to shift school funding control to local communities, has yet to pick DOE secretary

President-Elect Donald Trump is considering a major shakeup in American education by proposing to disband or significantly reduce the power of the Department of Education (DOE). This move would shift control and funding of public schools back to local communities, a concept that has gained support from some experts.

Neal McCluskey, the director for educational freedom at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, believes that Trump’s agenda of shuttering the DOE could be accomplished through a process known as block granting. Block granting would give states and districts more control over funding while still ensuring that they receive financial support from the federal government.

McCluskey noted that the federal government’s role in education has shifted over the years, with an emphasis on funding support evolving into more direct control, particularly until the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015. While ESSA reduced federal intervention, McCluskey believes that funding pressures continue to drive Washington’s influence on school operations.

Despite acknowledging a legitimate role for federal civil rights enforcement in education, McCluskey argued that this responsibility should be housed within the Department of Justice rather than the Department of Education. He also raised concerns about overreach, particularly regarding the issuance of “Dear Colleague” letters from the Office of Civil Rights, which he believes have altered policies without formal changes in the law.

The Department of Education was established in 1980 under the Carter administration, with its origins rooted in a political move to gain support from the National Education Association. Over time, its role expanded to include accountability measures, leading to the development of standards and test-based accountability systems.

Debates over centralized testing, such as Common Core, have prompted a shift away from heavy federal oversight in recent years. Today, the Department of Education primarily focuses on K-12 funding support, federal student aid management, and civil rights enforcement.

As Trump considers potential candidates for the role of DOE secretary, names like former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Rep. Byron Donalds, Cade Brumley, Rep. Virginia Foxx, Tiffany Justice, Oklahoma public education superintendent Ryan Walters, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin have emerged as contenders.

The proposed shakeup in American education reflects a broader conversation about the balance of power between the federal government and local communities in shaping education policy. As the transition team continues to deliberate on the future of the DOE, the impact of these potential changes on the American education system remains to be seen.