WEST VIRGINIA — Former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move he argues will improve education by returning control to individual states.
“We’re going to be returning education very simply back to the states where it belongs,” Trump stated during a signing ceremony on Friday.
However, the potential impact of this shift has raised concerns in West Virginia, where federal education funding plays a significant role. High school civics teacher Cullen Hencke questioned whether the state could effectively manage without federal support.
“Many West Virginia students rely on federally funded programs, such as reading intervention services and special education assistance,” Hencke explained. “These resources provide essential support, and losing them could create major gaps in our schools.”
Trump assured that certain programs, including Pell Grants, Title I funding, and support for students with disabilities, would remain in place. However, Hencke worries that the broader changes could lead to instability in the education system.
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“If teachers and staff see uncertainty in their profession, they might choose to leave, either for other states or different careers altogether,” he warned. “Uncertainty and disruption are not the paths to better outcomes for students.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey voiced his support for Trump’s proposal, stating that it aligns with his vision for the state’s education system.
Currently, West Virginia ranks 48th in education outcomes, according to the 2024 Kids Count data book. The state receives approximately $470 million in federal education funding for various programs in the 2025 fiscal year.
The West Virginia Department of Education has declined to comment on Trump’s proposal, leaving many to wonder how such a shift would reshape education in the Mountain State .