Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota has introduced a bold new bill, the “Returning Education to Our States Act,” which seeks to abolish the federal Department of Education and return control of education policy to state and local governments.
The legislation has been referred to committee for a vote, marking the next step in what could be a significant shift in federal education policy.
If enacted, the bill would eliminate the Department of Education while ensuring certain key programs are maintained under new management.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Impact Aid program would be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services, ensuring continued support for students with disabilities and those in federally impacted areas.
Additionally, the Office of Indian Education’s programs and authority would move to the Department of the Interior, while Federal Pell Grants and the bulk of the Federal Family Education Loan Programs would shift to the Department of the Treasury.
Elementary and secondary education grants would also fall under the Treasury’s purview, with funding levels determined by student enrollment in public, private, and home schools, preserving the previous fiscal year’s funding amounts.
President Trump has expressed strong support for decentralizing education, issuing a statement on November 19th naming Linda McMahon as the leader of this initiative. McMahon, the former Administrator of the Small Business Administration and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), will oversee the effort to empower states to take the lead in education.
“We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES,” Trump declared, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to reducing federal overreach and restoring local control in education.
