Former President Donald Trump has once again vowed to close the Department of Education if re-elected.
The U.S. placed 16th out of 81 countries in science when testing was last administered in 2022.
The top five math-scoring countries in 2022 were all in Asia.
U.S. students' math scores have remained steady since 2003. Their science scores have been about the same since 2006.
The IMD World Competitiveness Center reports that the U.S. ranked 12th in its 2024 Competitiveness Report after ranking first in 2018.
The Department of Education was established in 1979 during President Jimmy Carter's administration, initially as a response to growing demands for federal oversight and funding in education.
The Department's mission is to serve America's students—to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Over the years, it has become both a symbol of federal involvement in local education and a target for critics advocating for less government intervention.
Trump's argument hinges on the notion that the Department of Education represents an overreach of federal power.
In speeches across the campaign trail, he has criticized the department for pushing political agendas through education, particularly around issues like Critical Race Theory.
He's been vocal about moving education back to state control, arguing that states can better cater to local needs without the bureaucratic layers of a federal department.
The proposal has split public opinion. Supporters see it as a return to traditional federalism, emphasizing local control. Critics, however, argue that this move will jeopardize funding for schools, particularly those in underprivileged areas.
If executed, Trump's plan could lead to a significant reshuffling of educational governance. While the Department of Education's direct control over curriculum is limited, its influence through funding and policy directives is substantial.
Implementing this change would face numerous hurdles, not least of which is congressional approval. Historically, even when presidents have proposed significant cuts or changes to the Department of Education, Congress has often resisted these moves.
The practicalities of redistributing functions like educational data collection, or student loan management to other agencies or back to states present complex logistical and political challenges.
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