Trump is about to dissolve the US Department of Education

USA Today quoted senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump as saying that he is expected to sign an executive order to dissolve the Department of Education on March 20 (local time), fulfilling a commitment since his campaign for a second term.

He will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take "all necessary steps to expedite the closure of the Department of Education and return educational authority to the states," according to a White House summary of the draft order.

Trump orders closure of US Department of Education, fulfilling campaign pledge

The draft also requires stakeholders to ensure that services, programs and benefits to people are not disrupted.

Observers say Mr Trump’s order is almost certain to face legal challenges from opponents. The move would also pose a new test of the boundaries of presidential authority, after his administration’s attempt to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAid) was blocked by a federal judge in Maryland this week.

A protester outside the US Department of Education in Washington DC on March 12, protesting against staff cuts.

The U.S. Department of Education was created by Congress as a cabinet-level agency in 1979 and will not be shut down immediately with Mr. Trump’s order. Its complete elimination would require congressional approval.

Although Mr. Trump has significantly cut the Education Department’s workforce in recent weeks, the agency remains in place and continues to oversee important federal funding programs for schools.

Last week, more than 1,300 Education Department employees received notices of layoffs. Republicans have long argued that the federal government has too much power over state and local education policy, even though it does not control curriculum.

White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said Mr Trump's order "will empower parents, states and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students".

He said recent test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) “reveal a national crisis — our kids are falling behind.”

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-trump-sap-giai-the-bo-giao-duc-my-185250320171144634.htm