Trump to sign order today to begin dismantling Education Department

President Trump on Thursday will sign an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, according to the White House.

The signing has been in the works for weeks and will be marked by an event at the White House in which several Republican governors, including Mr. Trump's former rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, are expected to attend.

What Does Trump's The Department Of Education Executive Order Say?

"President Trump's executive order to expand educational opportunities will empower parents, states, and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement Wednesday.

The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely."

But completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval, which isn't certain.

What to know about the U.S. Department of Education

Dismantling the Department of Education has long been a goal for Republicans, dating back to the Reagan administration. Hours after Education Secretary Linda McMahon was confirmed by the Senate, she issued a memo with the subject line "Our Department's Final Mission." The memo said "This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students. I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete; we will be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future."

A senior administration official said student loans, Title I, which provides financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will not be changed by the executive order.

A White House official said Thursday that services like student loans, IDEA enforcement, and enforcement of civil rights laws would remain at the Education Department for now, but they will eventually be transferred to other departments, including the Treasury, Justice, and Health and Human Services Departments, among others, when the Department of Education is closed.

Mr. Trump has previously said student loans could be "brought into either Treasury or Small Business Administration or Commerce."

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By Jennifer Jacobs, Gabrielle Ake