Having worked as an education policy analyst and reporter, and experienced the American education system as a student and aide to teachers, I’ve seen firsthand how bureaucracy stifles innovation in learning — making the fear of dismantling the Department of Education entirely misplaced.
With the Trump administration and members of Congress weighing the possibility of dismantling the Department of Education and cutting its bureaucratic stronghold, we should embrace this opportunity for true innovation — not just reform — in American education.
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What are some of these innovative measures? Expanding school choice so that funding follows the student and not the system, empowering teachers with the freedom to teach without bureaucratic red tape or union constraints, and more flexibility in how students learn — whether that is by diving into hands-on projects or exploring their surroundings.
The education establishment, including many Democrats, government bureaucrats, and teachers unions, act as if shutting down the Department of Education would mean an overnight collapse of American education. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
So, why exactly should people stop being afraid of ending the department?
First of all, one of the most common concerns about eliminating the agency is whether it would negatively impact education quality. Has the education establishment been looking at the declining test scores from the Nation’s Report Card? Since the department was created, national test scores have stagnated or declined.
However, states often perform better when they rely less on the federal government.
Take my home state of Utah, for example — it ranks second lowest in per-pupil funding and receives the least federal dollars per student, yet it ranks No. 2 in education, according to the U.S. News & World Report, and boasts some of the highest NAEP scores in the country.
It also offers a wide range of school choice options, including charter schools, a universal private school choice program, open enrollment in public schools, as well as microschooling and homeschooling. This diverse landscape proves that expanding educational options can improve student achievement.
Shifting power to the states will spark innovation, enhance flexibility, and improve student outcomes — free from federal overreach.
Eliminating the department won’t cut education funding for states — in fact, it could make it more efficient. In fact, federal funds would be distributed back to the states through block grants. This will enable states to allocate funds and resources depending on the needs of the state and school districts, and it is far better than funding with strings attached from the federal government.
Teachers also won’t lose their jobs as the department doesn’t employ teachers — school districts and states do. If anything, removing federal mandates and giving more funding back to the states will give schools the flexibility to offer better salaries and attract even more highly qualified teachers based on the needs of school districts and students.
At the end of the day, the department doesn’t teach a single student — it drains your hard-earned money, uses some of it in the federal government, and then hands what’s left back to the states with layers of red tape.
In high school, I worked closely with teachers, grading papers and organizing meetings, witnessing their passion firsthand. When I asked why they chose teaching, their answer was simple: to instill a love of learning.
But I saw the darker side — endless test preparation, data collection, and meetings that drained them. Many quit within a few years, saying the system’s demands had stolen the joy of teaching, shifting the focus from students to demands by the state and federal governments.
Even if I attended private and public charter schools with supposed flexibility compared to traditional public schools, they were still bound by state and federal laws.
This reality highlights how government regulations continue to restrict meaningful educational flexibility, regardless of the school model. That’s why strong leadership is needed to break these barriers — and McMahon has the opportunity to make that happen if she becomes the education secretary.
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McMahon’s confirmation hearing wasn’t just about her becoming the secretary of education — it’s about reshaping the future of education in America. With her unique business background known for shaking up industries, she has the opportunity to revolutionize learning by shifting control back to those who understand students’ needs best: parents, states, and local communities.
Eliminating the Department of Education isn’t about abandoning education — it’s about empowering those who are directly invested in students’ success. By returning power to parents, states, and communities, we can create an education system that prioritizes flexibility, choice, and meaningful learning opportunities for every student.
Frances Floresca is an education policy analyst and reporter.
