North Michigan News

State Representative Ken Borton has expressed support for a resolution urging Congress to dismantle the United States Department of Education (Ed) and delegate its responsibilities back to individual states. This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump's plan to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the closure process, although complete dissolution would require congressional approval.

"President Trump knows that the needs of Michigan kids are different from Arkansas kids and definitely different from California kids," stated Borton, representing Gaylord. He criticized nearly five decades of federal control over education, questioning its effectiveness as student performance continues to lag despite the department's expansion.

House Republicans argue that Ed's establishment in the 1980s has led to excessive federal intervention through complex regulations and uniform standards. The department's budget reached $268 billion in 2024, yet national student achievement remains concerning. In Michigan, about 40% of fourth-grade students fall below basic reading levels according to national standards, marking a peak since 2002. Similarly, one-third of eighth-grade students did not meet reading benchmarks, setting another record.

The Trump Administration clarifies that closing Ed does not equate to abandoning educational programs but involves reallocating them across other departments. For instance, McMahon suggested transferring enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services. She also emphasized safeguarding essential services such as Title I funding for low-income schools and Pell Grants for college students from low-income backgrounds.

Borton dismissed claims that this move would reduce services for special education or low-income students as falsehoods. "By returning education authority to the states, we’re cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy and equipping experts at the state level to make decisions that best suit kids under their watch," he explained, emphasizing a commitment to providing quality education for all Michigan students.