Alain Guillot

Life, Leadership, and Money Matters

Should the U.S. Eliminate the Department of Education

Should the U.S. Eliminate the Department of Education?

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The Department of Education (DOE) was created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter with the goal of enforcing civil rights laws and improving education quality. However, critics argue that despite its massive $80 billion budget, student performance has declined, and American students consistently rank below many other industrialized nations in math, science, and reading.

Trump’s Call to Eliminate the DOE

President Donald Trump and many Republicans argue that education decisions should be made at the state and local levels, not by Washington bureaucrats. They believe that:

  • Federal control wastes money on bureaucracy rather than improving schools.
  • Federal rules and mandates make it harder for teachers and schools to do their jobs.
  • Eliminating the DOE would return power to local communities and save taxpayer money.

Bureaucratic Waste & Inefficiency

The DOE has over 4,000 employees but does not directly run schools. Instead, it oversees regulations and distributes funds, creating layers of bureaucracy that slow decision-making. Many programs overlap with state and local efforts, leading to inefficiency and redundancy. Critics argue that eliminating the department would allow states to take full control of education and better allocate resources.

The Impact of “No Child Left Behind”

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 aimed to improve education by requiring 100% of students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014 or risk losing federal funding. However, because this goal was unrealistic, many states lowered their testing standards, making it easier for students to pass. As a result:

  • Schools began “teaching to the test” rather than promoting deeper learning.
  • Some states reduced passing scores, making it appear as though students were improving when they weren’t.
  • Test-driven education discouraged critical thinking and innovation in classrooms.

Concerns Over DEI & Political Influence

Critics argue that the DOE is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over core education, leading to increased administrative costs without improving student outcomes. Concerns include:

  • Too much emphasis on LGBTQ+ issues in early education, instead of foundational subjects like math and science.
  • Excessive symbolism in classrooms, such as Pride flags and posters, which some believe push an ideological agenda.
  • Parental rights concerns, where parents feel left out of decisions regarding gender-related topics in schools.
  • Disputes over gender policies, including bathroom access and transgender participation in girls’ sports.

How Do You Feel About Your Kids Education

If I were a parent in the U.S., I would be completely against the Department of Education. If I could afford it, I would enroll my children in a private school.

Public schools place too much emphasis on ideology that I don’t agree with, such as displaying pride flags throughout the school and having transgender teachers in the classroom.

Additionally, with the No Child Left Behind policy, schools have watered down the curriculum to ensure that even the least qualified students pass their exams. This lowers educational standards and fails to challenge students to reach their full potential.

I want my children to grow up in an environment where a man is a man and a woman is a woman. If, as adults, they choose a different path, that’s their decision—but as a parent, I want to pass down my conservative values and uphold them to the highest standard, rather than conforming to the lowest denominator.

At the same time, I know that there are gay parents who would love their kids to go a school where there are pride flags every where and transgender teacher. Those parents would be happy to send their kids to a school that identifies with their values.

I believe education should be controlled at the state and municipal levels, giving parents the ability to live in communities that align with their values and aspirations.

What do you think? Should the DOE be eliminated or reformed?

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