Rounds Leads Legislation to Eliminate U.S. Department of Education

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today reintroduced the Returning Education to Our States Act, which would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute all critical federal programs to other departments. Rounds first introduced this legislation in November 2024. 

This legislation does not cut a dollar of education funding. Rather, funds will continue to flow directly to states in the form of block grants with other critical programs funded through the appropriate federal agencies. Eliminating the bureaucracy at the Department of Education will save approximately $2.2 billion per year in taxpayer dollars.

“We all know that teachers, parents, local school boards and state Departments of Education know what’s best for their students, not bureaucrats in Washington,” said Rounds. “The Department of Education was created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices. Since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy that dictates one-size-fits-all policies, standards and practices for students across the nation. The Returning Education to Our States Act would preserve important programs and federal funding while eliminating the bureaucracy of the Department of Education. This has been a priority of mine for years, and it’s one that President Trump shares. I’m looking forward to working with the President, Secretary McMahon and the rest of the administration to get this legislation across the finish line and return education decisions to the state and local levels where they belong.”

This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).

“While the average Dept of Ed bureaucrat makes twice as much as a teacher in Indiana, our national test scores are near historic lows. That money should be sent back to the states to empower parents, teachers, and local leaders,” said Banks. “Congress has a golden opportunity to codify President Trump’s executive actions. This bill does that. It’s a win for American education.”

“It’s time to put students first, not bureaucracy,” said Sheehy. “We spend more on education than at any point in history, but test scores are declining because those dollars are being squandered by a bloated federal bureaucracy. Closing the DOE will not cut off funds from students who depend on them, but it will eliminate layers of red tape in Washington, D.C. and ensure taxpayer money for education is better spent at the local level, where the dollars support kids, families, and hardworking teachers.”

“Republicans have promised to abolish the Department of Education since it was created in 1979. President Trump and Senator Rounds are finally getting it done,” said Christopher Rufo, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. “This legislation would end the Department of Education’s corrupt ideological spoils system and return power to states, schools, and parents. It’s time for action.”

“Putting students first means returning education to where it truly belongs—state and local governments, school boards, and families,” Tina Descovich, Co-founder & Executive Director of Moms for Liberty. “For 50 years, the U.S. Department of Education has attempted to fulfill its mission, yet it has failed by every measurable standard. Today, we face an education crisis, with only one-third of fourth graders reading proficiently. Dismantling the U.S Department of Education through the “Returning Education to Our States Act” offers the best path forward, empowering communities to create an education system where every child can thrive.”

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Education (Department) was created in 1979 with the goal of collecting data and advising schools across the U.S. on best practices. In the 45 years since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy with a budget that’s 449 percent larger than it was at its founding. Despite the Department spending $16,000 per student per year, standardized test scores have been dropping over the past ten years, further displaying the Department’s ineffectiveness on the quality of education for American students. Any grants or funding from the Department are only given to states and educational institutions in exchange for adopting the one-size-fits-all standards put forth by the Department.

Despite its inefficiencies, there are several important programs housed within the Department. The funding formulas for the below programs would not be changed. Rounds’ legislation would redirect these to the Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor, Defense, Justice and State:

Department of the Interior

• Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities
• Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program
• Special Programs for Indian Children

Department of the Treasury

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loan Program
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Health Education Assistance Loan Program
• Education Sciences Reform Act
• Education Technical Assistance Act
• National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act

Department of Health and Human Services

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Education of the Blind
• Helen Keller Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults
• Special Education Grants
• Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act
• Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Department of Labor

• All Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education programs
• Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
• American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
• Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
• Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
• Education of the Deaf Act
• Randolph-Sheppard Act
• Helen Keller National Center Act

Department of Defense

• Impact Aid Programs

Department of Justice

• Civil Rights Enforcement

Department of State

• Fulbright-Hays Program

In addition, Rounds’ legislation would alleviate the following compliance requirements:

• Eliminate Federal Accountability Mandates: Schools would no longer be required to administer standardized assessments or track performance for identifying struggling schools (CSI and TSI), allowing for more flexibility in assessment and school improvement strategies.
• Reduce Funding Compliance Burdens: Schools would no longer have to comply with complex Title I funding regulations, maintenance of effort standards or provide equitable services for private school students. This would simplify financial management.
• Relax Teacher Qualification Requirements: Schools would have more autonomy to set teacher certification standards and professional development plans, reducing federal oversight and allowing for tailored approaches to educator qualifications.

Click HERE for full bill text.

###