Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education is taking shape as over 300 staffers accept generous buyout offers. Secretary Linda McMahon is moving swiftly to reshape federal education policy, returning power to states and parents while cutting bureaucratic waste.
At a glance:
• Over 300 Department of Education employees accepted a $25,000 buyout to quit their jobs
• The buyout was available for only four days, with resignations effective March 31
• The Department has approximately 4,500 employees total
• President Trump is planning an Executive Order to expedite the department’s reduction
• McMahon supports universal school choice and eliminating DEI programs from federally funded schools
Trump Administration Makes Bold Moves to Streamline Education
Education Secretary Linda McMahon is wasting no time implementing President Trump’s vision to reduce federal control over education. The recent buyout offer that convinced more than 300 staffers to leave is just the beginning of a larger restructuring plan.
McMahon has made it clear that dissolving the department would require congressional approval, but she’s already taking significant steps to reduce its size and scope. The $25,000 buyout was presented as a one-time opportunity before more dramatic cuts.
In an email to staff, Department of Education official Jacqueline Clay warned of impending changes, writing: “This is a one time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the US Department of Education.”
McMahon Pushes for More Efficient Education Funding
Secretary McMahon has highlighted the inefficiency of federal education spending, noting that only 47 cents of every dollar actually reaches classrooms. The rest is consumed by regulatory compliance and bureaucratic procedures that do little to improve student outcomes.
“You know, currently, the Department of Education provides 8 to 10 percent of the funding to public schools, so most of it is handled at the state level anyway. But I think it can be better handled with all of the money getting there,” McMahon explained in recent comments.
The Trump administration has already cut $900 million in research contracts and plans to cancel about $1 billion in additional contracts related to the Education Sciences agency and DEI training.
School Choice and Parental Rights Take Center Stage
McMahon is working closely with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify further cost-saving measures.
The Secretary’s plans include prioritizing parental roles in education, removing DEI programs from schools, and better aligning postsecondary education with workplace needs. She has emphasized that dismantling the department doesn’t mean abandoning education priorities.
“This is not a turn off the lights and walk out of the department,” McMahon clarified. Instead, her approach involves transferring essential functions like student loans and Pell Grants to other federal agencies while returning primary education authority to states.
McMahon was confirmed as Secretary of Education on March 4, despite unanimous Democratic opposition.
