Trump's Plan to Ax Education Department: Easier Said Than Done?

President-elect Donald Trump's promise to do away with the U. S. Department of Education sounds simple, but experts say it's anything but. The plan involves complex logistics, congressional approval, and redirecting federal programs. It's doubtful that Congress will go along with it, and if it happens, it could slow down Trump's other education plans. Here's what the Education Department does: it doesn't control public school curriculums, as that's the job of states and local governments. But it does influence how schools are run through funding and oversight for things like low-income schools and special education.

If the department goes away, those programs would need to be managed by other federal agencies. That could mean more work for them, and they might not get the money or staff they need. Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota has a bill to abolish the department and move its programs elsewhere. But there are questions about how other departments would handle the extra work. Education experts point out some issues with Trump's plan. He wants to end certain education topics in schools, like "critical race theory, " while increasing funding for schools that follow his rules. But doing this would involve the federal government in education more, which Trump wants to avoid.

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