NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s political leaders and educational organizations have responded to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at reducing the size and scope of the U.S. Department of Education. Governor Bill Lee attended the signing of the executive order at the White House, expressing his support for the move, which he believes will provide Tennessee with more control over its education system.
In a statement released by the Governor’s office, Tennessee officials praised the decision, calling the U.S. Department of Education an “$80 billion failure” and emphasizing that education should be managed at the state level. The statement reiterated Tennessee’s commitment to empowering parents to choose what is best for their children and to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently on education.
“By returning education to the states, we can once again make an American education the gold standard across the globe,” the statement reads.
Governor Lee, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), also shared his enthusiasm for the decision. “Proud to be at the White House today as President @realDonaldTrump delivers on his promise to return education to the states & parents,” he wrote. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Lee explained that the federal funding for education often comes with cumbersome regulations and restrictions. He believes the order will allow states to allocate funding in ways that best serve local students.
The executive order has drawn support from other Tennessee lawmakers as well. Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton took to social media to highlight the alignment between the executive order and Tennessee’s long-standing efforts to regain control of its educational system. Senator Marsha Blackburn also expressed her full support for Trump’s move, advocating for the elimination of the Department of Education. Rep. Andy Ogles, another vocal supporter, criticized the department for promoting a “woke, anti-America curriculum” and expressed gratitude for the president’s decision.
However, the executive order has also sparked strong opposition from some educational organizations in the state. Tanya T. Coats, President of the Tennessee Education Association, issued a statement warning that dismantling the Department of Education could have serious consequences for students, particularly those from vulnerable or minority backgrounds. She argued that federal protections, such as those provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have been crucial in ensuring equal access to education for students with disabilities.
“Shutting down the U.S. Department of Education isn’t about ‘state control,’” Coats said. “It’s about taking away much-needed services from our students, and then dismantling, defunding, and privatizing our great public schools.”
Coats also expressed concern that the order could result in increased economic disparities in education, particularly in under-resourced states, and could lead to cuts in essential services such as after-school programs and support for students with disabilities.
As of now, the impact of the executive order on local school districts remains unclear. Metro Nashville Public Schools has yet to comment on how the order might affect its operations, while Wilson County Schools has not issued a response. Other districts across the state have also been approached for comment.
The full ramifications of Trump’s executive order on Tennessee’s educational system are still unfolding, with both support and opposition continuing to emerge as the debate over federal versus state control of education intensifies.
