Today, President Donald Trump delivered one of the most influential reforms of his presidency: reducing the size of the Department of Education and returning education control to the states. With this Executive Order, President Trump is reimagining what education should look like in America.
Since 1980, funding for the Department of Education has more than doubled, yet student performance has declined. Over the past decade, 8th-grade math achievement has dropped two grade levels, and reading scores have hit record lows. More than 70% of 8th graders are below proficiency in reading and math, while nearly one-third of all public school students are behind grade level.
President Trump believes we can—and must—do better.
This Executive Order will allow states to take charge of curriculum, ensuring local innovation and accountability. It will enable long-awaited curriculum reforms, expand school choice, and eliminate outdated national standardized testing in favor of new accountability measures.
States will also be able to revamp high schools to provide students with real-world career experience. Vocational training programs in fields like construction, automotive, culinary arts, and cybersecurity will better prepare students for apprenticeships, careers, or college.
For too long, federal mandates and partisan politics have hindered school choice programs. By reducing the bureaucracy of the Department of Education, President Trump’s policy will empower parents to choose the best education for their children. Removing harmful DEI policies, restoring integrity in women’s sports, and promoting educational freedom are key steps in this transformation.
President Trump’s education agenda ensures that decisions are made closest to the student, prioritizing parental choice, transparency, and student success. His leadership marks a major step toward improving education and opportunity for all American children.
