This week, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Elsewhere, Senate Democrats sent the Secretary of Education a letter regarding recent mass layoffs at ED, and House appropriators held a Member Day hearing where lawmakers heard about the importance of the federal investment in Career Technical Education (CTE).
President Trump Signs Executive Order Calling to Dismantle the Department of Education
Lawmakers in Congress are on recess this week, returning to Washington, D.C., next week to continue work in the 119th Congress. Members of Congress will return to a federal government that continues to be shaped by executive orders signed by President Trump that broadly seek to remake the federal government and dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce.
As part of these wider efforts, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) that directs U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to develop a plan for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and shift control over education to the states with reduced federal oversight. The executive order is titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities” and argues that the size of ED has grown substantially since its creation in 1979.
The EO references lagging student achievement results reported in this year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This national assessment of student achievement serves as “the nation’s report card” and examines reading and math scores. The EO argues that these results reflect failures at the Department. Notably, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) staff, the ED’s statistical arm and responsible for the NAEP data collection, were dramatically cut during last week’s mass layoffs at the Department, as previously shared. The EO also criticizes the department’s management of the student loan portfolio, claiming that this and other operations currently at ED would be better suited for other federal agencies or departments. In taking this action, the order aligns with President Trump’s campaign promise to reduce federal involvement in education, promote school choice, and empower parents. Read the White House Fact Sheet on the executive order here.
A key component of the EO is that it instructs the Secretary to implement the order “consistent with applicable law.” The Department of Education and agencies within it, like the Office of Career Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE), are established by statute – federal laws passed by Congress. The Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, is instructed by the order to facilitate the department’s closure while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery and compliance with federal regulations. The only way to legally achieve these goals would be through Congressional action– requiring the support of at least 7 Democrats in the Senate. Sec. McMahon released a statement following the announcement in support of the EO. Read the statement here.
Advance CTE will continue to monitor these efforts and more, particularly for any potential impact on the implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and other critical services and supports used by the Career Technical Education (CTE) community.
Congressional Democrats Send Letter to ED Regarding Layoffs
Earlier this week, the top Democrats on the House and Senate appropriations committee sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the Acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) expressing significant concern over the reduction in force (RIF) at ED that was announced on March 11. The lawmakers’ concerns emphasized ED’s critical role in promoting equal access to educational opportunities and ensuring compliance with federal laws. They highlighted that, despite a 16.5% increase in the discretionary budget and a 30% growth in the federal student loan portfolio between 2016 and 2024, staffing levels had largely remained unchanged before the current administration’s actions. The letter raised concerns that the significant staffing cuts could impair the Department’s ability to enforce civil rights, provide essential services like Pell Grants, and support state and local educational agencies in implementing requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The appropriators requested detailed information on how the Department plans to fulfill its obligations amidst the workforce reductions, seeking clarity on the impact of these changes on students, families, and educational institutions nationwide. Read the full letter here.
Advance CTE will continue to monitor congressional actions regarding ED and any staffing changes that may affect the education ecosystem and Career Technical Education (CTE).
House Subcommittee Holds Member Day Hearing
Earlier this month, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education held a Member Day hearing, allowing members of Congress to provide testimony before the subcommittee to highlight key issues to consider as part of the appropriations process. Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL) emphasized the hearing’s role in addressing national and district-specific concerns. Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) stressed the importance of providing adequate support for a range of programs falling under the subcommittee’s purview.
Representatives Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) and Seth Magaziner (D-RI) highlighted the need for federal investment in CTE. Rep. Thompson advocated for career and technical education (CTE) programs and urged substantial funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and Community Services Block Grant Program (CSPG) to support low-income families. Rep. Magaziner called for doubling the Pell Grant to keep pace with rising tuition costs and emphasized the need to modernize CTE programs to align with workforce demands. Watch the hearing here.
