A Historic Moment in Education Reform: Andrew Handel on Voice of Reason
It’s a historic moment and the states have been clamoring for this for decades.
In a move described as “historic” by state policy leaders, the Trump administration has accelerated its efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and return control to the states. Andrew Handel, ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force Director, spoke with host Andy Hooser on Voice of Reason about the potential dissolution of the Department of Education and the shifting of power and funding to the states—aimed at raising quality, advancing school choice, and increasing local control.
“It’s a historic moment,” said Handel. “The states have been clamoring for this for decades.”
Former President Trump first flirted with the idea of abolishing the Department during his initial term. However, recent executive orders and administrative actions—such as a reduction in department staffing—signal a serious commitment to the initiative.
“You can’t actually close the Department of Education unless you get an act of Congress,” Handel noted. “The Trump administration seems very serious about getting this done.”
Congressional allies have introduced bills to defund and dissolve the agency, potentially completing the phase-out by 2026. In the interim, existing programs would be reassigned to other departments or transitioned to the states.
“We’re going to take all these different funds and bundle them together and block grant them to the states,” Handel explained. “That gives states a lot more flexibility… and they’re going to be empowered to direct those funds to whatever extent works best for them.”
The discussion then turned to the future of education, focusing on the importance of personalized learning and the potential for micro schools. Handel highlighted the growing popularity of micro schools and the need for lawmakers to address these challenges.
“It’s a newer form of learning and it’s something that we here at ALEC have been studying,” Handel remarked.
With 15 states already implementing universal school choice programs, ALEC sees momentum building.
“Millions of kids around the country are about to benefit from these programs,” Handel said.