ON-AIR SEGMENT: What will happen if Congress moves to dismantle U.S. Education Department? Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Superintendent Stephen J. Todd weighs in

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Education Department, which was officially founded and organized in the late 1970's.

An approval from Congress is needed in order for the Education Department to be officially dismantled and there are various concerns that have surfaced regarding the future of school education in the United States (see the official White House fact sheet for the President's executive order).

According to President Trump, the ultimate goal of dismantling the U.S. Education Department is to hand the power of education back over to the hands of the state and families.

To clarify, here in New York State, the State Education Department ultimately designs the expectations and standards for what students should be learning in the classroom, but it is the responsibility of the school districts for developing and selecting that criteria. 

On Monday, March 24, 2025, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Superintendent Stephen J. Todd joined North Country News and provided some historical context regarding federal education funding and how crucial funding programs were implemented prior to the formation of the U.S. Department of Education.

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air segment for more:

Stephen J. Todd image.