WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act,” a bill that seeks to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute its key programs across existing federal agencies. The legislation aims to return education policy control to state and local authorities.
Created in 1979, the Department of Education was intended to collect data and provide guidance to schools nationwide. Over the past 45 years, the department’s budget has grown by 449%, yet standardized test scores have declined in the last decade, according to Rounds. Critics, including Rounds, argue that the department’s “one-size-fits-all” policies have hindered the quality of education in America.
Click here to get news as it happens by getting Dave Bondy’s newsletter sent directly to your inbox. Don’t trust social media to get the news.
“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student,” said Rounds. “It’s long past time to end this bureaucratic department that causes more harm than good. Local school boards and state Departments of Education know best what their students need—not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.”
Rounds’ bill would reallocate critical programs currently housed in the department to other federal agencies:
- Department of the Interior: Programs supporting Native American and Alaska Native education, including tribal education initiatives.
- Department of the Treasury: Federal student loan programs, Pell Grants, and other financial aid initiatives.
- Department of Health and Human Services: Programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other special education grants.
- Department of Labor: Career, technical, and adult education programs, as well as vocational rehabilitation services.
- Department of State: International education programs like the Fulbright-Hays Program.
Rounds emphasized that his proposal aligns with long-standing Republican goals to reduce federal overreach in education. He noted his commitment to working with President-elect Trump and Republican majorities in Congress to advance the legislation.
BREAKING: Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced a bill to ABOLISH the Department of Education 🚨
It is called the “Returning Education to Our States Act”
Here’s the plan 👇🧵
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) November 25, 2024
“This bill provides a practical roadmap for transitioning key federal programs to the departments where they belong,” said Rounds. “It’s time to empower local communities to make education decisions that best serve their students.”
The legislation has sparked debate, with proponents applauding its focus on local control and critics warning of potential disruption to federal education programs. The bill now awaits further discussion in Congress.
