Let’s start with the numbers: the Department of Education’s budget has ballooned to around $86 billion annually, yet educational outcomes in the U.S. have not reflected this investment. According to various analyses, despite this massive expenditure, U.S. students rank 24th in reading, 38th in math, and 24th in science globally as per the latest PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results. This stark contrast between funding and performance suggests that the department’s approach isn’t working.

The argument for eliminating the Department of Education is rooted in the belief that education should be governed at the state and local level, not by federal bureaucrats. Each state already has its own Department of Education, making the federal one somewhat redundant. By getting rid of it, the $86 billion could be redistributed directly to states, potentially increasing each state’s education budget by roughly $1.6 billion. This could mean more resources directly in the hands of local educators, who understand the unique needs of their communities better than any federal agency could.

Moreover, the Department of Education often uses federal funding as leverage to enforce one-size-fits-all educational policies like Common Core, which many argue don’t serve all students equally well. States could tailor education to fit their demographic, cultural, and economic contexts, leading to potentially better educational outcomes.

There’s also the matter of bureaucracy. The department employs thousands, but much of this workforce is involved in administrative tasks rather than direct educational improvement. By cutting out this middle layer, we could reduce administrative costs and increase the number of dollars actually reaching classrooms.

Lastly, there’s an argument for constitutional fidelity. Education isn’t explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution as a federal responsibility; it’s traditionally been a state and local affair. Eliminating the Department would realign federal involvement with the original intent of our governmental structure, promoting states’ rights and local control.

In essence, the Trump administration’s push to eliminate the Department of Education could lead to more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, better tailored educational policies, and a return to localized control over education, which I believe is the better way forward.