President-elect Donald Trump is taking aim at one of the most controversial institutions in American education: the federal Department of Education. In a move that could redefine the future of schooling, Trump plans to dismantle the department and return power to parents and local communities. Advocates say this could be the turning point America’s failing education system desperately needs.

Why the Education Department Is on the Chopping Block

For decades, critics have blamed the Department of Education and teachers unions for dragging down student performance. Test scores have plummeted, functional illiteracy is rampant, and millions of high school graduates struggle to read or perform basic tasks.

“America’s founders never wanted federal interference in education,” argues Rebecca Friedrichs, a veteran educator. “We now have evidence that they were correct when they predicted that it would destroy schools.”

Trump’s plan to close the department, long championed by conservatives like former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, aims to restore parental authority and eliminate bureaucratic red tape that critics say stifles innovation and accountability.

A Broken System in Crisis

Since teachers unions and the federal government took control of schools, Friedrichs says the damage has been catastrophic.

• Plummeting Test Scores: Only 33% of fourth graders are proficient in reading, and 37% are below basic achievement levels.
• Indoctrination Over Education: Union activists are accused of pushing radical political agendas instead of teaching core subjects.
• Teacher Exodus: Great teachers are leaving the profession, replaced by activists with little interest in real education.

“Our schools have been hijacked,” Friedrichs says. “Unions and federal bureaucrats have destroyed the very foundation of education: teaching kids how to think, learn, and succeed.”

A History of Federal Overreach

The seeds of today’s crisis were planted in 1867 when the National Education Association (NEA) lobbied for the creation of a federal education department. Over the years, the NEA grew in power, culminating in President Jimmy Carter’s establishment of a Cabinet-level Department of Education in 1979—a move many now see as a disaster.

“Before unions and federal meddling, our schools were the envy of the world,” Friedrichs says. “Students thrived under local control, with parents overseeing education and teachers focused on teaching—not politics.”

Trump’s Vision: Power Back to Parents

Trump’s plan to dismantle the Education Department isn’t just about cutting bureaucracy. It’s about giving parents and local communities the power to decide what’s best for their children.

By cutting federal funding and influence, Trump aims to:

• Restore Local Control: Towns and parents, not Washington, D.C., will make decisions about curricula and policies.
• End Union Domination: Without federal backing, unions will lose their grip on schools.
• Focus on Real Learning: Schools will prioritize phonics, math, and critical thinking over political agendas.

Unions Fear Trump’s Plan

Teachers unions, which collect billions in tax-free dues annually, are fiercely opposing Trump’s proposal. Critics argue these unions have used their power to fund divisive political agendas while neglecting students’ needs.

“No wonder the NEA is terrified of Trump,” Friedrichs says. “They know their reign of corruption is over if the Education Department is abolished.”

A Bright Future for Students?

Supporters believe Trump’s bold move could spark a renaissance in American education. By empowering parents and removing federal interference, schools could return to their core mission: educating the next generation.

Friedrichs asserts that communities, educators, and parents are prepared to retake our schools. “We need to save our children and our nation.”

What’s Next?

If Trump follows through, the fight to dismantle the Education Department will likely face fierce opposition from unions and special interest groups. But advocates are hopeful that real change is on the horizon.

What Do You Think?

Is Trump’s plan the answer to fixing America’s education crisis? Share your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to like and share this article to spark a nationwide conversation!