The truth about Trump's executive order
With a lot of rhetoric, here is the truth about what will happen to Virginia's schools after Trump's EO.
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The truth about Trump executive order on the Department of Education
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Thursday that aims to dismantle the U. S. Department of Education while keeping its core functions. As a response, proponents and opponents of the decision have released a lot of rhetoric, and as is often the case, the truth is somewhere in the middle.
Democrats are decrying the decision, with some officials suggesting that Virginia schools will lose billions in funding. That is not the case, however. The shuttering of the department will not have any immediate impact on the funding of Virginia’s schools.
The state government, on average, funds 89-90% of public education in Virginia. This is why activist groups that are pushing for more school funding advocate with state legislators at the Capitol, not with members of Congress.
Additionally, the Department of Education does not appropriate funding—Congress does. The department handles the disbursement.
The president cannot stop funds that Congress has allocated to states, as Congress controls the purse strings of the federal government.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that core functions will continue.
“Trump cannot unilaterally stop the distribution of congressionally mandated federal education funds, like Title I funds that go to schools with high percentages of low-income students, or funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that support special education services. The Trump administration said the department will continue to carry out core functions such as administering Pell grants and student loans.”
Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras provided clarity to families in a statement Thursday.