Congress Must Support Trump in Dissolving the Department of Education

The Expansion of the Department of Education and Its Impact on American Education

In fiscal year 2024, during the tenure of President Joe Biden, the U.S. federal government operated with a $1.8 trillion deficit. During this time, the Department of Education spent three times as much as the Department of Homeland Security and six times as much as the Department of Justice. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security spent $89.29 billion, while the Department of Justice spent $43.995 billion. In contrast, the Department of Education allocated $268.353 billion for its operations.

This massive expenditure has raised questions about the necessity and effectiveness of the department. Former President Donald Trump proposed an executive order in March to prepare for the closure of the Department of Education, arguing that it was an unnecessary addition to the federal government.

Constitutional Functions of Other Departments

The Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security have clear constitutional roles. The Justice Department is responsible for enforcing federal laws and prosecuting those who break them, while the Department of Homeland Security focuses on securing the nation's borders and protecting against threats from illegal immigrants and terrorists. These departments serve essential functions that are directly tied to the responsibilities outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Origins of the Department of Education

The creation of the Department of Education was first proposed by Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1978. He argued that a separate Cabinet-level department would allow the federal government to work more effectively with state and local education institutions to improve the quality of education. Carter emphasized the need to teach basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, and to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children.

A key part of the bill that created the department stated that its purpose was to "supplement and complement the efforts of States, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the States... to improve the quality of education."

Opposition to the Creation of the Department

Despite these arguments, there was significant opposition to the creation of the Department of Education. One of the most vocal critics was Republican Senator Sam Hayakawa of California, a former English professor and college president. In a Senate speech on September 24, 1979, Hayakawa expressed his concerns about the new department, questioning how it would solve issues like illiteracy or school violence. He believed that education should be the responsibility of parents, students, and local officials, not the federal government.

Although Hayakawa’s opposition did not prevent the bill from passing, his warnings were later validated by historical trends. The Senate approved the bill 69-22, and the House passed it 215-201. Carter signed the law into effect on October 17, 1979.

Growth of the Department and Educational Outcomes

In the first full fiscal year of the Department of Education (1981), it spent $15.088 billion. Adjusted for inflation, this amount equals approximately $51.044 billion in September 2024 dollars. By 2024, the department’s spending had grown to $268.35 billion, which is more than five times the original amount.

Meanwhile, student enrollment in prekindergarten through 12th grade increased from 40.877 million in 1980 to 52.920 million in 2024—a growth of less than 30%. Despite this increase in funding and student numbers, educational outcomes have remained largely unchanged.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Results

Since the 1970s, the federal government has administered the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) long-term trend tests in reading and math for 13-year-old students. In 1980, the average reading score was 258 out of 500. By 2023, the average score had dropped slightly to 256. In math, the average score increased from 269 in 1982 to 271 in 2023—an increase of just 0.74%.

These results suggest that despite the massive expansion of the Department of Education, there has been little improvement in the fundamental skills of American students.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

There is no constitutional provision that grants the federal government authority over education. This raises questions about the legitimacy of the Department of Education and its continued existence.

Given the lack of measurable improvements in educational outcomes and the absence of a constitutional basis for its role, some argue that Congress should follow Trump’s lead and consider closing the department. This would require a reevaluation of the federal government’s role in education and a return to local control over schools.