What Trump’s Executive Order on the Department of Education Really Means

March 21, 2025 (11:20 EDT)

Did the Department of Education Just Get Abolished? Here’s the Truth

The headlines are everywhere: The Department of Education is gone! But is that true? No. The reality is more complicated.

On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the phased dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. That’s a major policy shift, but it does not immediately eliminate the department. The executive order starts the process—but to fully abolish the department, Congress must pass legislation.

This is what the order actually does, what it does not do, and what happens next.

What the Executive Order Actually Does

  1. Shifts Education Oversight to States

    • The order instructs federal agencies to prepare to transfer education policy control to state governments.

    • This move is based on the argument that education decisions should be made at the state and local levels, not by the federal government.

  2. Prepares for the Reallocation of Federal Education Programs

    • Programs like Title I funding (for low-income schools) and IDEA (special education funding) still exist.

    • The Department of Education must create a transition plan to determine how these programs will be handled if the department is dissolved.

  3. Reduces the Department’s Administrative Functions

    • The order calls for a gradual reduction of staff and resources at the Department of Education.

    • However, this does not mean immediate mass layoffs or shutdowns.

  4. Reviews Education Regulations for Possible Repeal

    • Existing federal education policies will be reviewed to determine which should be repealed, modified, or transferred to other agencies.

What the Executive Order Does NOT Do

It does NOT immediately abolish the Department of Education.

  • The department is still operating. Congress must vote to dismantle it completely.

It does NOT cancel federal student loans.

  • Student loans are federally backed, not dependent solely on the Department of Education. If the department is eliminated, loan servicing would be reassigned.

It does NOT eliminate all federal education funding.

  • Programs like Pell Grants and Title I remain in place unless Congress acts to change them.

Can a President Abolish a Federal Agency Alone?

No. The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979. To eliminate it, Congress must pass a law officially dismantling the agency and redistributing its responsibilities.

The executive order sets the stage for this change, but it does not finalize it.

What Happens Next?

  1. Congress Will Debate the Issue

    • Lawmakers will decide whether to pass a bill that fully dismantles the department or restructures it under a different framework.

  2. Agencies Will Develop Transition Plans

    • Federal and state agencies must determine who will take over responsibilities such as student loan oversight and school funding.

  3. Potential Legal Challenges

    • Lawsuits may be filed questioning the legality of shifting education policy through an executive order without congressional approval.

The Bottom Line

The Department of Education has not been abolished. The executive order starts a process, but full elimination requires congressional action.

For now, federal student loans, education funding, and school regulations remain unchanged. The real impact will depend on what Congress does next.