Trump’s Big Swing: Could Kicking Education Back to the States Save Our Kids?
Hold onto your hats, parents—word on the street (or rather, from disclose.tv via NBC News as of two hours ago) is that the White House is gearing up to drop an executive order abolishing the Federal Department of Education. Yep, you heard that right—Trump’s eyeing a move to send education back to the states, shredding the centralized red tape from Washington, DC. Cue the cheers from libertarians and the gasps from bureaucrats. But before you picture kids dodging bullies in a lawless schoolyard or wonder where the lunch money’s coming from, let’s dig into what this could mean. The podcast “Why Nobody Reads Anymore” already clued us into how federal meddling’s flunked our kids—so could this be the reset we need? I’m Laura Lurns, your parenting coach with a PhD in child development and a knack for cutting through the noise, and I’ve got some thoughts.
The Federal Flunk: A Legacy of Literacy Woes
Let’s rewind. The Department of Education, born in 1979 under Jimmy Carter, was supposed to be our kids’ golden ticket to equal opportunity. Instead, it’s been a 50-year experiment in centralized control that’s left us with plummeting literacy rates and a generation allergic to books. The podcast nailed it: whole language learning flopped, and test-obsessed reforms like No Child Left Behind turned kids into skimmers, not readers. States got buried in paperwork while federal dollars funded six-figure salaries for DC desk jockeys. As a child psychologist, I’ve seen the fallout—kids who can’t focus past a tweet because their brains were never stretched.
States’ Turn: A Chance to Rewrite the Rules
Handing education to the states isn’t about torching schools—it’s about ditching the one-size-fits-all playbook. Imagine curricula tailored to local needs: tech skills in Silicon Valley, farming know-how in Iowa. No more jumping through federal hoops for crumbs of funding. Sure, skeptics—like some sharp libertarians—point out an executive order could be undone by the next Democrat with a pen. Fair. But with Rep. Thomas Massie pushing a bill to codify this into law, it’s a two-pronged attack: fast action now, lasting change later. As an occupational therapist, I say this could flex those neuroplasticity muscles—new systems, new chances.
Author Quote“
If you weren’t taught how to read properly, reading is never going to be something that you do for fun—it’s going to feel really difficult and like a lot of work.
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Bullies and Shoes: The Real Questions
Now, you’re wondering: “Laura, what about the bullies kicking my kid out of school?” Relax—public schools aren’t vanishing; they’re just getting a new boss. And yes, the podcast flagged distractions like phones, but states could tackle that too—think phone bans with teeth. Then there’s the shoe debate: if we don’t need a Department of Shoes to keep feet covered, why a Department of Education? Markets and communities deliver shoes just fine; they could do the same for education. Charities, vouchers, local ingenuity—options abound. Centralized control’s a Soviet-style relic—crappy cars, crappier schools.
Key Takeaways:
1
The Federal Department of Education’s centralized model tanked literacy—states could do better.
2
An executive order’s a start, but Congress must lock it in to outlast the next administration.
3
Parents must ditch apathy, embrace growth mindset, and build kids’ confidence in a new system.
Growth Mindset: The Game-Changer
Here’s where I get feisty. Too many parents shrug, “My kid’s doomed without federal oversight.” Nonsense! Brains aren’t fixed—they’re Play-Doh, and a growth mindset proves it. Kids can learn to read, focus, and thrive if we challenge them, not coddle them with excuses. I’ve coached families through this: ditch the “government must save us” myth, swap screen time for story time, and watch those neural pathways bloom. States could foster this, free from DC’s cookie-cutter mandates. Neuroscience backs me up—effort rewires brains, and this shake-up could be the push we need.
Author Quote“
Does anyone think the country is better educated now than they were back then [before the Department of Education]?
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Parents, Step Up: Confidence Is the Prize
The villain? Apathy—that lazy “it’s someone else’s job” attitude. If states take the reins, you’re still your kid’s first teacher. A decentralized system doesn’t mean chaos; it means responsibility. Set the stage—ban phones at dinner, read together, demand schools prioritize skills over scores. The payoff? Kids who conquer books, bullies, and beyond with unshakable confidence. Want proof it works? Grab my Free Growth Mindset Course and watch your kid’s potential soar. Trump’s move could be a win—if we make it one.
