Trump signs executive order to dismantle Education Department
The White House says the order will not entirely dissolve the Education Department but it will become “much smaller.”
- President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, although Congress must approve such a move.
- Kansas education officials expressed hope for a smooth transition with minimal classroom disruptions.
- Key funding areas like Title I for high-poverty schools and programs for students with disabilities are promised to be preserved.
- Concerns remain about the impact on federal oversight for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and the Higher Education Act.
After President Donald Trump signed an executive order attempting to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, top education official in Kansas say they hope for “a smooth transition with minimal classroom disruptions.”
Trump on Thursday ordered his administration to dismantle the agency, even as the White House acknowledged that it can’t be entirely dissolved, USA TODAY reported. Only Congress has the authority to eliminate the federal agency.
“We’re going to eliminate it, and everybody knows it’s right,” Trump said, vowing to get rid of the agency “once and for all.”
In a statement Friday morning, the Kansas State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education said they “acknowledge the President’s decision to shut down the U.S. Department of Education.”
“While we await Congress’ response, we will be reviewing the order over the next several days to ascertain the potential immediate and long-term impact on Kansas students, educators, and families,” the state officials said.
Trump says he’s sending education ‘back to the states’
The Trump administration has already cut the Education Department’s staff in half amid large-scale reductions in force led by the Department of Government Efficiency. DOGE is led by businessman Elon Musk, who posted a meme on X of Trump posing with a tombstone for the “Departmen (sic) of Education.”
“We’re going to be returning education, very simply, back to the states, where it belongs,” Trump said.
Curriculum has long been the purview of states and local school districts. In Kansas, the state Constitution vests the state Board of Education, which has a conservative majority for the first time in two decades, with authority over public school accreditation, curriculum, graduation requirements and teacher certification. The Constitution vests other educational power in the Legislature and local school boards.
“Education is a state issue, and the State Board has constitutional authority over education,” the Kansas officials said. “We appreciate the federal government recognizing that role.”
The state officials added that “we are grateful for the technical assistance that we have received from the U.S. Department of Education throughout the years.”
What will Trump order mean for Kansas schools?
“The State Board and KSDE remain steadfast in its responsibility to support Kansas educators and students during this time of uncertainty,” the state officials said.
Trump said that federal Title I funds for schools in high-poverty regions, funding for students with disabilities, Pell Grants and student loans will be “fully preserved” and still administered by the department. His decree called for the department to simultaneously close and to maintain “uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Still, the Kansas officials raised several unknowns about the federal transition.
“For decades, federal support has played a critical role in ensuring equitable access to education, particularly for students with disabilities, those from low-income families, and rural communities,” the Kansas education officials said. “While we have received assurances that funding will not be affected, we do not know yet what impact the elimination of federal oversight will have for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), and the Higher Education Act (HEA). The administration has said there will be no programmatic disruption.
“As we navigate this unprecedented transition, the State Board and KSDE remain committed to continue working with federal and state leaders, school districts, and community partners to protect educational opportunities for all students. We will clarify funding sources, policy implications, and legal obligations while maintaining close communication with schools to ensure a smooth transition with minimal classroom disruptions statewide.”
USA TODAY contributed reporting.
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.