U.S. Education Department Sees Nearly 50% Workforce Reduction as Abolition Efforts Advance

A renewed push to abolish the federal Department of Education is gaining momentum, marked by significant workforce reductions and an executive order aimed at dismantling the agency. Daniel Buck, a former public school teacher and administrator, articulated a common sentiment among proponents, stating, > "Abolishing the federal Department of Education will do wonders to improve the education of students around the country." This perspective underscores a long-standing debate over federal involvement in education.

Advocates for the department's elimination argue that education is a responsibility best left to individual states and local communities, asserting that federal oversight is unconstitutional, ineffective, and expensive. Critics point to stagnant national test scores despite substantial federal spending, and issues with the department's administration of student aid programs as evidence of its inefficiency. The argument posits that the department's functions are largely unnecessary, as states managed education for centuries before its creation in 1979.

In March 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Education to take steps toward closing the department and returning authority to the states. This action has already led to substantial changes, including the layoff of nearly 1,300 of the department's approximately 4,100 employees, representing a reduction of nearly 50%. The initiative is supported by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, which aims to streamline federal operations.

Conversely, opponents of abolition emphasize the Department of Education's crucial role in ensuring equitable access to education and enforcing civil rights laws. The department administers vital programs such as Pell Grants, student loans, and Title I funding, which provide essential financial aid and support to low-income students and those with disabilities. Critics warn that dissolving the department could severely impact vulnerable student populations and exacerbate existing inequities between school districts.

Despite the executive order, full abolition of the Department of Education would require an act of Congress, a measure that has historically faced bipartisan opposition and legal challenges. Public opinion also leans against the move, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that 65% of Americans oppose shuttering the department. The ongoing efforts signal a significant shift in federal education policy, with potential long-term implications for students, schools, and the balance of power between federal and state governments.