Restoring Decision-Making Power Over America’s Schools To The States: ALEC In The News Roundup

Arlington, VA—On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, signaling a dramatic shift in federal education policy. In this new education landscape, states are taking up the baton and crafting policies that empower both the students and parents to best fit their educational needs. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been at the forefront in this education freedom movement and was recently featured in various news outlets covering the new education landscape following the recent executive order.

The White House

ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson was featured on the White House’s list of lawmakers, scholars and leaders across the nation offering support for President Trump’s decision with this action and shifting education responsibilities back to the states.

“President Trump’s bold vision to shrink the federal bureaucracy within the Department of Education and restore authority to the states marks a long-overdue return of constitutional order. This is the natural, unstoppable evolution of the parental empowerment movement sparked amid the pandemic lockdowns.

The states are ready for it, and they’ve been clamoring for it. This executive order is a fundamental step forward in the American education revolution. We fully support President Trump’s leadership in eliminating wasteful, bureaucratic mandates that push political agendas and divert taxpayer funds away from students. By putting the states back in charge of this funding, students, families, and teachers will be put first – rather than the bloated bureaucracy in Washington, DC.”

The Center Square

Nelson was also quoted in The Center Square highlighting how this executive order accelerates the growing momentum of the education freedom movement and focuses on parental empowerment across the states.

“This is the natural, unstoppable evolution of the parental empowerment movement sparked amid the pandemic lockdowns. The states are ready for it, and they’ve been clamoring for it,” American Legislative Exchange Council CEO Lisa Nelson said Thursday. “By putting the states back in charge of this funding, students, families, and teachers will be put first – rather than the bloated bureaucracy in Washington, DC.”

The Epoch Times

ALEC President & Chief Economist Jonathan Williams was quoted in The Epoch Times about the historic nature of the executive order and how states lawmakers are picking up the mantle when it comes to the education of future generations.

“This is a historic day for America. It’s one that those of us who believe in education, freedom, and parental empowerment have been waiting for decades, and this was really the unfinished business of Ronald Reagan, who wanted to eliminate the big department back in the 1980s.”

Williams later commented on how lasting change for the future of education will require collaboration with Congress. He remained hopeful that bipartisan support will grow as the benefits of state autonomy become clear.

 “Specific reduction tasks executively, but other provisions require cooperation from members of Congress. It’s like state legislators across the country, regardless of party affiliation, to have them be able to customize the education approach that works best for their states and ultimately works best for the families and children themselves.”