Poll Finds Support for Dismantling Education Department

Americans overwhelmingly support reforming the U.S. Department of Education, transferring control of education policy to states and giving parents more control, according to recent polls.

The poll, which drew more than 31,000 responses, was conducted in the days leading up to President Donald Trump’s executive order, which launched the process of dismantling the department and returning educational authority to state governments.

Since its establishment in the late 1970s, the Department of Education has spent more than $3 trillion, yet according to a White House fact sheet, academic performance has stagnated. Despite a 245 percent increase in per-pupil spending, math and reading scores have declined, and U.S. students consistently rank behind peers in other developed nations.

In a speech before signing the order, Trump said federal efforts in education have failed to deliver results.

“Today we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making,” he said. “My administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department. We’re going to shut it down, and shut it down as quickly as possible — it’s doing us no good.”

Support for reducing the Department of Education’s workforce has been near-unanimous. Ninety-three percent of respondents supported the move, with 85 percent saying they “strongly agree.” Only 6 percent were opposed. This view was reinforced by answers to a related question in which 85 percent said cutting the department’s staff and shifting control to the states would improve the quality of education in their own communities.

Downsizing of Education Department

Earlier this month, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced a significant downsizing of the department, eliminating more than 1,300 positions following 600 voluntary buyouts. McMahon described the move as a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”

Trump praised the decision saying, “She cut a large number, but she kept the best people, and we’ll see how it all works out.”

Seventy-five percent of survey respondents said they believe the goal of increasing efficiency would be achieved through the layoffs, reinforcing the perception that bureaucratic bloat hinders educational progress.

–Alan Goforth