Restoring Educational Excellence: Why We Must Abolish the Department of Education

Editor’s note: the following is a Guest Opinion by U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-AL1)

I am a firm believer in the idea that government should empower local communities to shape their own futures. One area where the federal government has shown its tendency to overstep its power is education. That’s why I am proud to introduce a bill abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.

For decades, the federal government has inserted forced itself deeper into the education system, often with negative results. Instead of improving outcomes, bureaucrats in Washington have introduced one-size-fits-all policies that eliminate local control which undermines the authority of teachers and fail to meet the unique needs of students across our nation. It’s time to reverse course and return decision-making back to the local officials and parents, where it belongs. The Department of Education was created in 1979 with the initial goal of collecting information and statistics about the nation’s schools so the federal government could provide advice. However, the department instead imposed unnecessary regulations, pushed ideological agendas, and provided federal funding for programs focused on indoctrinating students rather than educating them. This federal interference has burdened state and local governments, stripping them of flexibility to cater to the specific needs of students within their state or school district.

It’s important to remember that education is inherently local. What works in rural Alabama might not work in urban California, and vice versa. Our local school boards, administrators, teachers, and most importantly families are best equipped to make decisions about curriculum, staffing, and resource allocation.

Abolishing the Department of Education would empower states, communities, and parents to reclaim their control over what our children arebeing taught. Without federal mandates dictating how schools must operate, we can focus on fostering competition, innovation, and parental choice. States could tailor their educational policies to reflect the values and needs of their citizens.

Critics argue that without federal oversight, vulnerable students will be left behind. The truth is local communities are better equipped to support their children than Washington bureaucrats. By allowing parents and local governments to make these decisions, we can build an education system that truly works in the best interest of each student.

The federal government has no business dictating how our children are educated. Abolishing the Department of Education would not only restore power to the people but also unleash the potential of our schools and our students.

Let’s give power back to parents, educators, and communities so they can create the best possible educational opportunities for every child. It’s time to make education local again.

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