.png)
Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised President Trump's executive order dismantling the Department of Education.
RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin and top Virginia education officials are applauding an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump that dismantles the Department of Education and puts control of education in the hands of individual states.
The order directs U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to return education oversight to the states while ensuring that federal funds are administered in compliance with federal civil rights laws. Additionally, the order halts taxpayer support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and bars the use of race and sex as factors in educational policies and procedures.
“Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education,” Youngkin said. “We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results, and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support. We welcome the federal government’s shift of responsibility to the states — and we are grateful that President Trump's executive order does just that.”
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera echoed Youngkin’s sentiment, noting that the move will allow Virginia to reduce federal bureaucracy and tailor solutions to the specific needs of the Commonwealth.
“Virginians know best what Virginia students need and what works here in Virginia,” Guidera said. “The President’s Executive Order ensures that federal dollars will arrive in Virginia with less red tape and bureaucracy.”
Virginia Board of Education President Grace Creasey also voiced support, calling the executive order a step toward empowering parents and local leaders.
“For too long, bureaucrats in Washington have dictated one-size-fits-all policies that fail to address the unique needs of the Commonwealth’s students and schools,” Creasey said. “Returning decision-making authority and funding to the states can foster innovation, accountability, and better educational outcomes.”
In addition to backing the executive order, Virginia officials highlighted major initiatives enacted under Youngkin’s administration, including:
- Eliminating inherently divisive concepts within the Virginia Department of Education.
- Creating the Office of Parent Engagement to increase transparency in student performance.
- Launching the Student Performance and Support Framework, designed to improve accountability and allocate resources to underserved students and schools.
- Expanding dual enrollment, career and technical education, and pathways to earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials.
- Opening 15 college partnership lab schools, with plans for further expansion.
- Cutting red tape for teacher hiring and expanding alternative pathways, including apprenticeship programs.
- Launching the ALL-In Virginia Program to boost post-pandemic learning recovery through targeted tutoring.
- Increasing Virginia’s direct aid to public education by more than $7 billion since the pandemic, marking a 50% increase in state investment.
Officials say these initiatives are aimed at restoring excellence in education while addressing issues like chronic absenteeism, learning loss, and teacher shortages.
“We will continue to ensure every student graduates career-, college-, or military-ready,” Youngkin said.
English (US) ·