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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Coalition Calls for Continuing Efforts to Close Department of Education
A coalition of conservative organizations is pressing Congress to continue the Trump administration’s initiative to close the Department of Education and transfer its functions to states. The appeal was made in a letter sent Thursday to key congressional leaders and Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Signatories and Recipients of the Letter
The letter, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation, was addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Education Secretary Linda McMahon. It was signed by organizations including Concerned Women for America, the Center for Christian Virtue, Family Policy Alliance, Military Families in Support of Parental Rights, and several state education policy groups.
Claimed Benefits of State Control and Education Waivers
Jonathan Butcher, acting director of The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy, stated that returning education to the states has enabled the Department of Education to focus on student needs instead of maintaining a “failed federal bureaucracy.” Under Secretary McMahon’s leadership, the department began allowing states to apply for waivers from federal education requirements—permitting parents and states to exercise greater control over their education systems. According to the letter, these waivers represent a departure from the "heavy-handed operations" of previous federal administrations.
Waivers Approved and Flexibility in Federal Funding
As of late October 2026, the Department of Education had approved state education waivers for at least eight states: Iowa, Louisiana, Indiana, Vermont, Arkansas, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Ohio. These waivers enable states to consolidate multiple streams of federal education funding, including components of Title II, III, and IV funds, into flexible pools. Advocates claim this reduces compliance burdens and helps direct funds to priorities such as literacy and workforce readiness. In Ohio, the waiver’s approval impacted more than $38 million through 2029.
Proposals to Shift Education Department Responsibilities
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has approved proposals to transfer duties like civil rights enforcement and federal student loan oversight to other executive agencies. The letter claims this shift is necessary, citing a lack of progress by the Education Department since its founding in 1980.
Concerns Over Student Achievement and Bureaucratic Burdens
The letter references the Nation’s Report Card, which found that nearly two-thirds of fourth graders were scoring at basic or below in math, and about 70% at basic or below in reading. In the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, 39% of fourth-graders were at or above proficient in math, and 31% in reading, with average reading scores in decline compared to previous years. The letter describes these results as “mediocre,” especially considering per-pupil spending above $20,000 from federal, state, and local sources.
Citing congressional reports, the letter argues that Education Department paperwork creates unfair burdens for state and local educators. A 1998 House report described the department as fostering a "cottage industry" around complex program requirements—a situation the coalition says has not changed.
Heritage Foundation Proposes Model Legislation
To accelerate the process, the letter recommends adoption of model legislation from The Heritage Foundation that would remove references to the Education Department from federal law and close the agency. Secretary McMahon has supported the administration’s mission, stating that returning education to the states aligns with President Donald Trump’s goal to reduce federal bureaucracy.
Conclusion
The coalition’s letter urges Congress to maintain momentum on dismantling the Department of Education and shifting education policy authority to the states. The future of federal education oversight remains under congressional review.
Source: tennesseestar.com.
