Excavate the U.S. Department of Education!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

HOLLOW OUT!

by Steve Fair

 

In October 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed into law a bill that created a new federal agency and a cabinet position focused on education.  The bill was opposed by many in the GOP, who saw creation of the department as unconstitutional, unnecessary, and federal bureaucratic intrusion into local affairs.  But alas, the United States Department of Education (USDOE) began operating in May 1980. 

During the 1980 presidential campaign, Ronald Reagan called for the total elimination of the newly created U.S. Department of Education.  After he was elected, President Reagan reduced the budget at USDOE, but by the time he left office in 1989, the Gipper had increased the budget at USDOE.  To be clear, Republican leaders have been inconsistent on the elimination of USDOE.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) directing the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the close of the USDOE and 'return education authority to the States.'  Permanent elimination of the USDOE requires 60 votes in the Senate, so until the GOP gets a few more seats in the upper chamber, USDOE will still exist.

Like all government agencies, the USDOE has grown over the years.  In 1980, the USDOE budget was $13 billion.  In 2024, it was $238 billion dollars.  At its creation, the agency had 3,000 employees.  Until President Trump's EO, the staff had grown to 4,133.  Trump's EO cut the staff to 2,183. 

In March 2023, a House Republican effort to abolish the USDOE failed because sixty (60) Republican members joined Democrats and voted against the measure.  Three observations:

First, education should be controlled at the local level.  Community control over curriculum, funding and operations will align public education with local values.  That has been the fundamental issue.  The USDOE has required local school districts to promote diversity, inclusion, and social issue ideologies inconsistent with local values to get federal funding.  Instead of encouraging more parental involvement, the USDOE's actions has created conflict rather than collaboration.  

Second, Oklahoma should be granted a Return to the States waiver.  Back in August, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was in Oklahoma on her 'Return Education to the States' tour.  She participated in Governor Stitt's signing of SB#796.  SB#796 prohibits institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from using taxpayer money to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs or activities.  McMahon has publicly supported local control of education.

Last week, McMahon announced Iowa was the first state approved for a 'Returning Education to the States' waiver.  It will give the state more control over nearly $9.5 million in federal education funding over the next four years.  Iowa had asked to control all $157 million they get from the feds, but only were granted control of $9.5 million, but that's a start. "We know that (one size fits all) mandates fail. States should lead. Washington should support their sound approaches and get out of the way," McMahon said. 

The waiver allows the Iowa Department of Education to give local school districts local flexibility in how their federal money is spent.  Expect federal educational dollars to be pushed to the local level over the next three years under the Trump administration.

Third, the USDOE should be eliminated.  The Republican Party's consistent stated position for the past 45 years has been one of opposition to a large federal role in education, but the walk hasn't matched the talk.  Virtually every GOP candidate campaigns for the elimination or significant downsizing of the USDOE, but it still exists. 

Getting moderate Republicans in the House and Senate to terminate the agency are not likely to happen.  Trump understands that so his strategy is to 'hollow out' the USDOE.

A significant percentage of federal education tax dollars are spent on red tape (compliance).  According to McMahon, teachers leave the profession because they spend too much time filling out compliance forms and neglect actual teaching. 

It's past time to excavate the USDOE and leave a shell.