Senators formally introduce bill to eliminate U.S. Department of Education
Republican senators recently introduced a bill aimed at closing the U.S. Department of Education, following President Trump’s Executive Order redirecting its functions to other federal agencies. The bill, known as the “Returning Education to Our States Act,” seeks to eliminate the Department of Education, reduce standardized testing requirements, and give schools more control over teacher certification and professional development standards.
Supporters of the bill argue that the Department of Education has grown into an oversized bureaucracy that dictates one-size-fits-all policies, standards, and practices for students across the nation. They believe that the department’s growth has led to inefficiency and wasted resources, advocating for more local control and direct funding to support students and educators.
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who is leading the bill, emphasized the need to return authority over education to the states and local communities. He stated that the Department of Education was initially created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices, but has since expanded beyond its original scope.
The bill would redirect portions of the Department of Education to other federal agencies such as the Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor, Defense, Justice, and State. It would also make key changes to education compliance requirements, eliminating the need for schools to administer standardized tests to identify struggling schools. Additionally, schools would have more autonomy to set teacher certification standards and professional development plans.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who supports the bill, outlined her vision for eliminating the Department of Education in a Fox News op-ed. She and Senator Rounds recently held a meeting to discuss the legislation. The bill aligns with President Trump’s campaign promise to reshape the American education system.
The bill will now head to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for debate. Supporters believe that closing the Department of Education will eliminate layers of red tape in Washington, D.C. and ensure that taxpayer money for education is better spent at the local level to support students, families, and teachers. The Republican-led bill could potentially accompany President Trump’s executive order as part of his efforts to reform the education system.
