The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced his intention to immediately close the Department of Education, calling it "a big scam."
During a recent press conference, the leader criticized the performance of the country's educational system and argued that, despite being the nation that spends the most per student, the United States ranks 40th in international education rankings.
Trump emphasized the paradox that, despite the high levels of investment in education, the performance of American students remains low compared to other nations.
"We spend more per student than any other country in the world, yet we are ranked 40th. Something is really wrong," he affirmed.
The president also mentioned that countries like Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and China are among the top in education, which, in his view, demonstrates the need for structural change.
"Norway, Denmark, Sweden... I hate to say it... China, no matter how big it is, is among the top five. If we're in 40th place, it means we're doing something very wrong", he emphasized.
Return educational control to the states
As part of his strategy to reform the education system, Trump has proposed returning the management of education to the states, eliminating federal government intervention.
According to their vision, this would allow states to adopt more efficient and tailored measures to improve educational quality.
"If we return education to Iowa, Idaho, or Colorado, we will probably have between 35 and 37 states that will perform as well as Denmark, Norway, Finland, or Sweden," the president affirmed.
Additionally, he recalled that before the establishment of the Department of Education in 1980 under the administration of Jimmy Carter, education was managed by state governments, and he believes that this model should be restored.
Million-dollar cuts in the Department of Education
Trump's statements come shortly after his administration announced cuts of 881 million dollars to the Department of Education budget.
This adjustment has resulted in the elimination of 89 contracts and grants, including 29 related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
A payment of 1.5 million dollars intended for assessing postal operations at a mail center was also canceled.
These measures reinforce the president's stance on reducing federal spending on education and shifting control to the state level, a strategy that has become one of the key points of his administration.
Linda McMahon and Transitioning Leadership
To manage the transition to a decentralized system, Trump has appointed Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, although his ultimate intention is to eliminate this federal agency.
"What I want is for the states to manage the schools", Trump explained when asked about the appointment.
"I firmly believe in the freedom to choose schools, but besides that, I want the states to manage the schools and I want Linda to be out of a job," he added.
During her appearance before a Senate committee, McMahon denounced what she considers an "excessive consolidation of power" within the Department of Education, which she believes has harmed state autonomy and limited educational freedom.
"Our wounds are due to the excessive consolidation of power in the federal education system," he stated.
"What is the remedy? To finance educational freedom, not the government."
Reactions and controversy
Trump's proposal has generated intense debate.
While conservative groups celebrate the idea of returning educational control to the states, teachers' unions, parents, and Democratic lawmakers have expressed their concerns about the impact this could have on the public education system.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a leading figure of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, criticized the initiative, arguing that the Department of Education plays a crucial role in the equitable distribution of resources.
"This department provides vital resources to 26 million children in this country who live in high-poverty school districts", said Sanders.
"It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that all children in the United States, whether poor, middle class, or rich, receive a quality education," she added.
Despite the opposition from Democrats and educational unions, Trump remains steadfast in his intention to close the Department of Education, making it a central issue of his administration.
Frequently asked questions about the proposed closure of the Department of Education in the U.S.
Why does Donald Trump propose closing the Department of Education?
Donald Trump considers the Department of Education to be "a huge scam" and criticizes the poor performance of the U.S. educational system despite the high investment per student. He proposes that returning educational control to the states could improve educational quality.
What structural changes does Trump propose to improve education in the U.S.?
Trump suggests returning educational management to the states, removing federal government intervention. He believes that states can implement more efficient and tailored measures to improve education, similar to countries with high educational standards such as Norway and Denmark.
What impact could budget cuts have on the Department of Education?
The $881 million cuts announced by the Trump administration could impact essential contracts and grants, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This reinforces the strategy of reducing federal spending and shifting educational control to the state level.
Who will lead the transition to a decentralized education system?
Linda McMahon has been appointed by Trump to oversee the transition to a decentralized system. However, the president's ultimate intention is to eliminate the Department of Education, allowing states to manage their own educational systems.
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