Education Belongs In The States, Not Washington

Gov. Bill Lee

 By Gov. Bill Lee, Mar 19, 2025,  DailyWire.com - The U.S. Department of Education is an $80 billion failure. For decades, it’s promised better schools and brighter futures, yet delivered little beyond bureaucracy and stagnation. President Trump is right: it’s time to end the Department of Education and hand states the reins.

In Tennessee, we understand that the best education system considers the unique needs of every student and empowers parents to choose what’s best for their child. We also have a proven track record of stewarding tax dollars wisely to achieve the maximum benefit for our students and teachers. By returning education to the states, we can once again make an American education the gold standard across the globe.

Since the department’s creation in 1979, the federal government has spent more than $6 trillion on education, yet our kids aren’t reading any better, solving equations any faster, or competing stronger globally. The “Nation’s Report Card” shows reading and math scores for 17-year-olds stuck where they were in the 1970s. Meanwhile, administrative staff in public schools has ballooned, growing by 19 times the rate of student growth since 2000, while resources are failing to make it into the classroom and teachers drown in paperwork. This isn’t just waste – it’s a sacrifice of our children’s future. (read more)

Rod's Comment: I agree with Gov. Lee and for the reasons he states. The Department of Education should be abolished. We do not need one-size-fits-all. States can innovate and experiment and should not be hindered by federal bureaucrats looking over their shoulder.  Shutting down the DOE does not mean no federal role for education. Before there was a federal Department of Education there was a Department of Health, Education and Welfare from 1953 to 1979. Maybe there should be such a department again. 

While I agree with the Trump's proposal to dismantle the Department of Education, I support doing it legally. Money appropriated by Congress must be spend for the purpose for which it was appropriated. The Constitution requires the president to "take care that the Laws be faithfully executed." The budget passed by Congress is a law. Also, a department cannot be illuminated by the president; only Congress can do that. In addition, it should be possible to dismantle a department in an orderly fashion without chaos. 

I support the dismantling of the Department of Education in an orderly and Constitutional manner. 

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