During a recent interview with Elon Musk, former President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to close the Department of Education if he is reelected. Trump emphasized that he aims to shift the responsibility of education back to the states, stating that he believes 35 out of the 50 states would excel in managing their education systems independently.
While Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education aligns with the goals of some Republicans in the 2024 GOP primary, it is important to note that such a move would not necessarily grant more authority to states over K-12 schools. The states and local school boards already hold the power to determine curriculum, establish schools, and set enrollment criteria.
