Michaela Miller Deputy Superintendent | Washington Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instruction
President Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move that State Superintendent Chris Reykdal criticized in a statement released today. The order instructs U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon to begin closing the Department by cutting programs and resources.
Reykdal emphasized that the Department, established by Congress in 1979, can only be legally dissolved through congressional action. He highlighted the Department's role in supporting students facing educational inequality, including those experiencing poverty, disabilities, and language barriers.
"Combined with the massive layoffs of Department staff, today’s order underscores the President’s disregard of public education and civil rights," Reykdal stated. He expressed concern about the potential harm from dismantling federal programs essential for educational equity.
In Washington state, Reykdal noted that local legislation provides civil rights protections exceeding federal standards. "No order by the President will diminish our state’s obligation or moral imperative to serve and support all students," he asserted.
Reykdal acknowledged that some federal education policies should be revisited but argued this should occur through Congress in collaboration with states. He described the current situation as "a cruel chaos" promoting school privatization and undermining decades-long commitments to equity and civil rights.
He warned that reducing federal funding could harm rural communities most severely and urged legislators nationwide to increase their investment in public education as federal support wanes.
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