The future of the United States Department of Education is increasingly uncertain as discussions to eliminate it gain traction. Under President Donald Trump‘s administration, significant changes seemed imminent, particularly given his previous actions to cut various federal departments. During his campaign for the 2024 election, Trump pledged to “drain the government education swamp” and “prevent the misuse of taxpayer dollars aimed at indoctrinating America’s youth with messages that many parents oppose.” Additionally, Trump expressed a strong preference for shifting educational responsibilities back to the states, as highlighted by reports from CNN.
Following his election victory, Trump put forth the nomination of former WWE co-founder Linda McMahon as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. As of March 3, McMahon’s nomination has been confirmed, and she is poised to initiate the dismantling of the department according to an executive order crafted by White House officials, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This change represents a significant shift in U.S. educational policy, reflecting a broader agenda to reshape educational governance.
To gain deeper insights into the objectives of the Department of Education and the current number of employees it oversees, continue reading further into this discussion.
Understanding the Role and Function of the Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education serves as a vital cabinet-level agency within the federal government framework. According to the department’s official website, its primary mission is to “promote student achievement and preparedness for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equitable access for learners of all ages.” This mission underscores the importance of accessible education as a cornerstone of a thriving democracy and a competitive economy.
“During Career and Technical Education Month, we reaffirm our belief in excellence by putting America first and investing in the best training and retraining opportunities that will result in a stronger workforce and a booming economy.” — @POTUS
America is back!
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) February 3, 2025
Exploring the Key Responsibilities of the Department of Education
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in overseeing various aspects of the educational landscape in America. This includes formulating policies related to federal financial aid for education, gathering data, and conducting essential research on schools. The department also focuses on raising public awareness regarding educational issues while working to prohibit discrimination. Their efforts are aimed at ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for every student, regardless of their background.
According to the department’s official website, education is primarily a responsibility of state and local governments across the United States. Notably, approximately 92 percent of funding for elementary and secondary education originates from state sources, while a mere 8 percent comes from the federal level. This funding structure emphasizes the importance of local governance in shaping educational policies and addressing the unique needs of diverse student populations.
Current Employee Count at the Department of Education: A Comprehensive Overview
As reported by NPR in February, the U.S. Department of Education employed roughly 4,400 individuals and operated with an annual budget of $79 billion. The report further indicated that the Trump administration had placed “dozens” of department staff on paid leave, following a similar strategy applied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) personnel earlier in the year. This raises questions about the future staffing and direction of the department under the new leadership.
On March 11, the department disclosed plans to terminate nearly half of its workforce, resulting in a reduction of 1,315 employees and leaving approximately 2,183 personnel remaining. This drastic decision came after an order for remaining employees to vacate their offices by 6 p.m. on the same day, with the offices to remain closed the following day due to “security reasons.” Such measures reflect the administration’s commitment to restructuring the department significantly.
In conjunction with these layoffs, The New York Times reported that 572 employees had accepted separation packages offered in recent weeks, while 63 probationary workers were dismissed last month. These changes signal a major overhaul of staffing within the department and raise further concerns about its operational effectiveness moving forward.
Following the mass layoffs, McMahon issued a statement emphasizing, “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.” This statement highlights the administration’s focus on maximizing educational outcomes while potentially reducing bureaucratic overhead.
Assessing Trump’s Ability to Restructure or Eliminate the Department of Education
Upon taking office for the second time in January 2025, Trump signed several executive orders. Reports indicate that he plans to implement significant cuts to the Department of Education, as multiple outlets have discussed. While he has the authority to modify aspects of the department, completely dismantling it would require congressional action since it was established by an act of Congress in 1979. During this restructuring, Trump can likely eliminate certain programs that were not specifically created by Congress, as noted by NPR.
In the draft of the executive order reported on March 5, McMahon is directed to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” within the bounds of the law. This directive suggests a clear intention to streamline or potentially eliminate the department’s functions.
The order also elucidates the rationale behind the proposed closure, asserting, “Since its founding in 1979, the Department of Education has spent more than $1 trillion without producing virtually any improvement in student reading and mathematics scores.” This statement reflects a critical stance on the department’s effectiveness over the decades.
On March 20, Trump signed the executive order titled Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities, which signals McMahon to advance plans for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. This initiative appears to circumvent the requirement for congressional approval to formally dissolve a federal department, given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, allowing for significant shifts in educational governance.
