Education Secretary Linda McMahon says everything will be done legally when it comes to dismantling the department she oversees. McMahon said Trump wants to close the department as quickly as possible, citing low reading and math scores among American children. However, White House officials have confirmed they will wait for Congressional approval before the department is shut down completely.
Meantime, Springfield Congressman Richard Neal says the measure is "not well thought out," and leaves open the possibility that 50 different states will come up with 50 different ways to evaluate students.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey released a statement calling the order "bad for students, teachers and schools."
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon will need Congressional approval to officially abolish the department, which was first established under President Carter in 1979.
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News / Getty Images