Education Dept. prepares for executive order to dismantle agency

The Education Department is preparing for an executive order from President Donald Trump that aims to dismantle the agency and redistribute its functions to other federal entities, according to a draft memo obtained by Federal News Network.

The memo, titled "Eliminating the Department of Education," states that employees will be tasked with identifying nonstatutory programs for elimination. Education Secretary Linda McMahon echoed the memo’s themes in a speech to employees Monday, emphasizing that reducing bureaucracy will give parents greater control over education. However, McMahon acknowledged in her February confirmation hearing that only Congress has the authority to dissolve the department.

The draft memo outlines four key pillars of Trump’s education policy, including parental decision-making, protections for students against “gender extremism ideology,” alignment of postsecondary education with workforce needs, and a focus on “meaningful learning” in core subjects.