Trump's Education Executive Order: A Small Step Towards Decentralization?

A Return to State Control?

President Trump's recent executive order aims to dismantle the Department of Education, echoing a decades-old promise from President Reagan. While stopping short of complete abolition (requiring Congressional action), the order seeks to shift educational authority back to states, without impacting federal funding.

The order’s language, however, lacks specifics, broadly instructing the Secretary of Education to facilitate the department's closure "to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law." This ambiguity leaves much room for interpretation and potential legal challenges.

Targeting "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"

Ironically, the order wields the very power it seeks to diminish: using federal funding to sway state education policy. It mandates that federal funds be contingent on compliance with administration policies, including the termination of programs deemed discriminatory under the guise of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI).

This reflects a conservative viewpoint that DEI initiatives violate existing civil rights legislation. However, this approach leaves the door open for future administrations to impose opposing requirements, highlighting the order's limited impact on long-term federal influence.

Unaddressed Economic Impacts

The executive order fails to address the significant economic distortions caused by federal intervention, particularly the guaranteed student loan system. This system, as previously discussed, has fueled an artificial surge in tuition costs, benefiting administrative bloat rather than educational quality.

The Persistent Influence of Left-Leaning Educators

Even a complete return of educational control to the states might not yield the conservative educational landscape some anticipate. A predominantly left-leaning demographic of educators, particularly in public schools, continues to exert a considerable influence on student worldview.

The Age-Old Question of Indoctrination

Education has always been intertwined with instilling values, a point recognized by thinkers from Plato to Jefferson. The progressive movement's initial goals for public education, once focused on religious influence, have evolved towards a new set of values. But the underlying element of indoctrination persists.

The Libertarian Ideal: Abolishing Mandatory Schooling

The true solution, from a libertarian perspective, is abolishing mandatory schooling entirely. A free market approach, where parents aren't compelled to send their children to any school, could foster a diverse array of educational options.

Many successful individuals have thrived outside traditional schooling, highlighting the distinction between "schooling" and true education, as John Taylor Gatto eloquently articulated.

A First Step, But a Long Road Ahead

Trump's executive order initiates a crucial conversation about the role of government in education. However, much work remains to be done in liberating American children from what some perceive as left-leaning indoctrination.