# Dismantling the Department of Education

> Ordered the Education Secretary to begin closing the Department of Education and returning authority to states.

Donald Trump · Culture & Social · Executive Order · EO 14242 · Mar 20, 2025
Official record: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-05213

## What happened

Ordered the Education Secretary to begin closing the Department of Education and returning authority to states, while moving congressionally mandated programs (Title I, student aid, special education) to other agencies.

## How it happened

Executive order signed March 20, 2025; through late 2025 the administration offloaded functions to other departments. Full abolition requires Congress.

## Documented impact

- [positive / contested] Supporters say it returns education control to states and cuts bureaucracy. — Backers argue federal involvement is inefficient and that local control improves outcomes.
- [negative / substantiated] Functions were moved without Congress, which created the department in 1979. — The department cannot be legally abolished without Congress; transferring Title I, special-education and student-loan work to other agencies raised oversight and continuity concerns.

## Public opinion

Abolishing the Department of Education

Support: 30% · Oppose: 58%

Results vary widely by wording — some polls show a slim majority for 'returning education to the states.' PDK (2025) found 66% opposed to elimination.

Source: Lake Research / Tarrance Group, 2024–25

## Sources

- [Federal Register: EO 14242](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-05213)
- [CNN: accelerating push to dismantle Education Dept](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/18/politics/education-department-trump-administration-changes)

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Canonical: https://eo.alanwizemann.com/eo/trump/dismantling-the-department-of-education