By David N. Harding, Staff Writer
Since its inception in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has failed to meaningfully improve educational outcomes for America’s children. Despite receiving billions in federal funding, student performance has remained stagnant or worsened in key areas such as reading, math, and critical thinking. Meanwhile, the DOE has been weaponized to push a progressive ideological agenda, prioritizing social activism over academic excellence. Instead of empowering parents and students, it has centralized control, eroded parental rights, and promoted policies that indoctrinate rather than educate. The time has come to dismantle this ineffective bureaucracy and return control of education to states, local communities, and most importantly—parents.
1. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S TRACK RECORD OF FAILURE
The Department of Education was established under President Jimmy Carter with the promise of improving America’s schools, but over four decades later, there is little evidence to justify its existence.
- Declining Student Performance: The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called the "Nation’s Report Card," consistently shows stagnant or declining scores in reading and math (NAEP). Despite increased spending, the U.S. ranks behind other developed nations in education quality (OECD Education Rankings).
- Soaring Costs with No Results: The DOE’s budget has ballooned from $14.2 billion in 1980 to over $79 billion in 2023 (Congressional Budget Office), yet outcomes have not improved. More money has not equated to better education.
- Federal Overreach Has Failed: Standardized testing mandates like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Common Core were implemented to improve accountability but instead led to teaching to the test, reducing meaningful learning. Meanwhile, local educators and parents have been sidelined in favor of bureaucrats in Washington.
2. INSTITUTIONALIZED PROGRESSIVE INDOCTRINATION IN SCHOOLS
Rather than focusing on core subjects like math, science, and history, the Department of Education has become a vehicle for progressive social engineering.
- Gender Ideology in Schools: The DOE has aggressively promoted policies allowing children to be taught gender identity, fluidity, and sexual orientation—often without parental consent (Heritage Foundation). Public schools have embraced radical ideologies, pushing gender-neutral bathrooms, preferred pronouns, and transitioning policies for minors.
- Erosion of Parental Rights: Many school districts—backed by federal policies—have actively kept parents in the dark regarding their child’s gender transition or social activism participation. In some cases, parents have lost custody of their children for refusing to affirm these ideologies (Daily Signal).
- Marxist Ideology and Critical Race Theory (CRT): The DOE has endorsed curricula that divides students based on race, teaches that America is fundamentally racist, and promotes equity over merit. Concepts like “white privilege” and “oppressor vs. oppressed” are pushed under the guise of “anti-racism” education (Manhattan Institute).
3. THE RISE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The DOE’s policies have not only corrupted K-12 education but have also transformed universities into indoctrination factories.
- College Campuses as Radical Training Grounds: Universities are now hotbeds of leftist activism, where students are taught to embrace socialism, hate capitalism, and reject traditional American values. The rise of social justice warriors (SJWs) can be directly linked to the DOE’s role in encouraging grievance-based ideologies.
- Weaponized Title IX Policies: Under DOE guidance, universities have implemented speech codes, bias reporting systems, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) offices, which stifle free speech and create a culture of intolerance for conservative viewpoints (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education).
- Student Loan Debt Crisis: The DOE has encouraged massive student loan debt, pushing students into expensive, low-value degrees while profiting from federal loan interest. Instead of promoting vocational training or alternative pathways, the DOE has created a system where young Americans are financially burdened for life while being indoctrinated with anti-American ideology (Cato Institute).
4. THE SOLUTION: RETURN EDUCATION TO THE STATES AND PARENTS
The best path forward is to abolish the Department of Education and return control to states, local communities, and families.
- State and Local Control: Education should be tailored to the needs of individual states and communities. Decentralization ensures better accountability, transparency, and responsiveness.
- School Choice & Parental Rights: Expanding vouchers, homeschooling, and charter schools empowers parents to choose the best education for their children, rather than being forced into failing public schools.
- End Federal Overreach: Without federal intervention, states can focus on real education reforms—not social experimentation.
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