OPINION: Abolishing the U.S. Department of Education is the Right Move
For years, Republicans in Congress have advocated for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). On January 31, 2025, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced H.R. 899, a bill that would officially shut down the DOE on December 31, 2026. The legislation has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee. While critics argue that dismantling the DOE would harm the public education system, they claim students with learning disabilities would struggle more in the classroom. In reality, this move would empower the states, reduce federal spending, and put more money into the pockets of the taxpayer. Ultimately improving educational outcomes nationwide.
The Department of Education was established under President Jimmy Carter in October 1979. Since its inception, the quality of public education in the United States has steadily declined. In recent years, the federal government has pushed controversial curricula, such as critical race theory (CRT) and explicit sexual education, into classrooms, including those at the elementary level. While discussions about race and sexuality may have a place in middle or high school, such complex topics are inappropriate for five-year-olds. Education should remain developmentally appropriate and tailored to local values. States should have the autonomy to craft curricula that prepare students to be responsible, productive members of society. The federal government should act only as a support system, not as the primary authority over education.
Speaking of localized education, when CRT was implemented in schools under the previous administration, many parents started to opt out of public education in favor of catholic schools, charter schools, and even homeschooling. Parents know what is best for their children, which is a major reason there has been a spike among parents running for the school board in their town, and the education issue has been on the rise. The education cabal has been challenged an immense amount during the spark of the parental rights movement in 2021. Education remains a top issue in local elections, specifically for school board, which drives higher turnout for BOE races.
Opponents of abolishing the DOE often claim that students with disabilities would suffer, particularly those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). However, these critical services could be transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which already provides services to the disabled by managing a range of public assistance and healthcare-related programs. To make this pivot even more concrete, members of Congress have insisted on this transfer. HHS is better equipped to address the individualized needs of students and families. Additionally, key educational priorities such as parental involvement, academic achievement, and equal opportunity can and should be managed at the state level, where officials are more attuned to the unique needs of their communities.
This is a matter of federalism. Just like the Dobbs v. Jackson decision returned authority over abortion to the states, education policy should follow the same model. States like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia already lead the nation in public school performance. If these states can succeed on their own, others can as well.
Financially, the Department of Education is a massive burden on taxpayers. In the last fiscal year, its budget exceeded $238 billion. If this money were redistributed directly to the American people, each citizen could save around $700 annually. At a time when families are struggling with inflation, high rent, and widespread layoffs, these savings could offer much-needed relief. While the Department provides aid to low-income students, the states could administer such funds more effectively. For instance, New Jersey already directs a huge chunk of its fiscal education budget to underserved communities in Paterson, Newark, and Camden, targeting support where the school systems are not great compared to the rest of the state.
In short, the DOE has become a bloated, redundant bureaucracy. Other federal agencies can absorb its core functions or, better yet, return to the states. Eliminating the Department would save taxpayers billions, restore educational sovereignty to the states, and help ensure that schools are responsive to the families they serve. It is beyond time to close the U.S. Department of Education and trust the states to chart their educational futures for the future leaders of their states. The more localized the education is, the better the education will be for the students.
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