Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota has proposed legislation aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, redistributing some of its functions to other federal agencies. Named the “Returning Education to Our States Act,” this measure marks Rounds’ ongoing efforts to abolish the department, a goal he has pursued “for years.” The Department of Education, initiated in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, has seen budget increases without corresponding improvements in education, according to Rounds.
“Local school boards and state departments of education know best what their students need, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.,” Rounds stated. However, he acknowledged certain valuable programs within the department, with his bill aiming to relocate 25 such programs to other agencies. Critics argue that dismantling the department could result in disparities in education funding and access across states.
The push to eliminate the Department of Education has gained momentum with support from Republican President-elect Donald Trump. He has endorsed this initiative while announcing Linda McMahon as his nominee for education secretary. McMahon, a former WWE executive and head of the Small Business Administration, will lead the effort to return education control to the states. “We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort,” Trump declared.
This story was initially reported by the South Dakota Searchlight, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and donors.
—
Read More Montana News
