By David N. Bass
Carolina Journal
Michele Morrow, executive director of the National Alliance for Education Reform and former Republican candidate for state superintendent in North Carolina, has called for the dismantling of the US Department of Education, urging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk’s leadership to take swift action.
During a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, Morrow accused the Education Department of contributing to the decline of educational standards in America while promoting political agendas.
“It’s been 45 years since President Carter established this department, resulting in 45 years of failure, bloated bureaucracy, and a grotesque manipulation of our children’s minds and bodies for wealth and political influence,” Morrow said during the event.
According to a statement from Morrow’s organization, the Education Department’s budget has ballooned from $12 billion in 1972 to $238 billion last year, yet reading literacy rates are at their lowest levels in over 30 years. Seven out of 10 fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and six out of 10 struggle with math.
“Instead of lining the pockets of bureaucrats at the Department of Education, we should be ensuring teachers have school supplies, classrooms are fully staffed, students are afforded tutors, and special needs students get their services,” Morrow said. “Bureaucrats have been picking the pockets of schoolteachers and students for far too long.”
Additionally, Morrow called for an investigation by DOGE into connections between the Education Department, the American Library Association, and the National Education Association. She said that these partnerships have introduced “radical agendas” into public education, straying from teaching basics like math and literacy.
Although dismantling the Education Department entirely would require congressional approval, DOGE has already made significant strides toward shrinking the department’s scope.
Under Musk’s guidance, DOGE has terminated nearly $900 million in contracts managed by the Institute of Education Sciences. It has also taken measures such as reducing staff, cutting redundant programs, and reallocating certain functions to other federal agencies.
These efforts, according to Morrow, are just the beginning of what must be a broader push to restore education governance to local communities and states.
After Morrow’s close loss to Democrat Moe Green in North Carolina’s state superintendent race, she founded the National Alliance for Education Reform to fulfill her campaign promises of combating woke ideologies in education and promoting traditional values.
David Bass is a senior contributor to the Carolina Journal.
YES! agreed 100%
The department’s origin goes back to 1867, when President Andrew Johnson signed legislation for a Department of Education. It was seen as a way to collect information and statistics about the nation’s schools and provide advice to schools.
The 2023 budget was $274 billion, which included funding for children with disabilities (IDEA) (12%), pandemic recovery, early childhood education (14%), Pell Grants (33%), Title I (27%), work assistance, among other programs.
This budget was down from $637.7 billion in 2022.
Education in the United States is organized at a subnational level by each of the fifty states. Under the 10th Amendment, the federal government and Department of Education should not be involved in determining curricula or educational standards or establishing schools or colleges.
That doesn’t add up though. If 33% of the $274B was for Pell in 2023, that would be $90B. Assuming every recipient was awarded the maximum amount of $6,895 (they’re not), that math works out to 13 million people get that grant. Yet, according to pellinstitute.org, there were only 6 million pell recipients. We have over $45B missing (or unaccounted for as to going to the American people) then, according to your source.
Sounds to me that it’s time for an audit…a MAJOR audit.
Here’s where you can review the details of the Department of Education budget:
My posting was not a full representation of the budget and how it is spent. My apologies.
Huge amounts of money for worsening literacy and math statistics. Get the feds out of it, give more money to the schools and teachers directly. Less bureaucratic involvement and fewer people at the top. Let the teachers have more independence in how they teach.
Education in the United States is organized at a subnational level by each of the fifty states.
Under the 10th Amendment, the federal government and Department of Education should not be involved in determining curricula or educational standards or establishing schools or colleges.
That’s how it’s supposed to be but not what actually occurs.
Fellow Americans,
No matter if you are a Libertarian, Green Party member, Constitutional Party member, Republican, Democrat, or an independent, free thinker (me), you cannot deny that the federal government has grown too large and expensive. Since 1776, the U.S. Federal Government has ballooned from the simplistic protector of our God-given rights and protector of our Nation from its enemies to approximately 438 agencies. Notably, the federal government is the largest employer in the United States. Knowing these facts, it is no surprise that we have a surging national debt and factually, our country cannot sustain current spending. Raising the “credit limit” is only a bandaid and it presents national security concerns as it requires borrowing from international actors that do not always have our best interests in mind. Understand that borrowing from a lender gives the lender power over the borrower; removing freedom. In addition, our government does not “produce” anything that creates value, it only consumes; funded by American tax revenue. Fellow Americans, this was never the intention of our founding fathers! Our republic is being swallowed up by a 438lbs (agencies), socialist, python and it is time to shake it off, starve it, and get back to the basics…taking care of the American people.
Lastly, get out of just going along with political parties and think independently, and recognize facts…
I pray this post is received with kindness and appreciation. God Bless America.
A voice in the wilderness
Just look at the state of public schools before Carter violated the 10th amendment to impose the DoE onto the States. Morrow is exactly right….minus the 1972 part. They were formed in 1979 and had a budget of $12B. Reagan promised to get rid of it, and failed to deliver on that promise.
Suck it up buttercup you lost the election and public schools are not going to anywheres If you want a civil war then take away public schools and the people will show their true colors.
Misspelling, missing punctuation, improper capitalization, and a run-on sentence. This is an EXACT representation of a failing school system.
Dont forget the leftist brainwashing :p
I promise you I’m a success businessman making 6 figure . Public schools helped me get to where I am. The problem is idiots like you all trying to inject politics into the classroom Reminder to you that public schools are not goin anywhere
“Instead of lining the pockets of bureaucrats at the Department of Education, we should be ensuring teachers have school supplies, classrooms are fully staffed, students are afforded tutors, and special needs students get their services,” Morrow said. “Bureaucrats have been picking the pockets of schoolteachers and students for far too long.”
Can DOGE also come to JoCo? You can start with the JCPS County Office.
Michele Morrow’s push to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is nothing more than a politically motivated attack on public education, masquerading as “efficiency.” The claim that the department is responsible for declining test scores ignores key factors like state policies, local funding disparities, teacher shortages, and socioeconomic challenges. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning is undeniable, yet Morrow conveniently omits this from her argument. Blaming a federal agency for educational struggles while ignoring these broader issues is both misleading and irresponsible.
The idea that Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should take over education policy is equally absurd. Musk has no expertise in education, and the decision to cut $900 million in research funding undermines efforts to improve literacy, track student progress, and develop effective teaching strategies. Slashing these programs is not about “efficiency”—it’s about dismantling systems that provide accountability and ensure students receive a quality education. The Department of Education plays a vital role in enforcing civil rights protections, funding special education, and supporting schools in underserved areas. Eliminating it would disproportionately harm students with disabilities, low-income families, and rural communities that rely on federal resources.
At its core, Morrow’s argument is not about improving education but about seizing political control. Her claims of “manipulation” and “radical agendas” are well-worn right-wing talking points used to justify banning books, censoring history, and attacking teachers. The supposed “woke indoctrination” she opposes is nothing more than teaching students critical thinking, accurate history, and inclusion. If Morrow and Musk truly cared about education, they would advocate for higher teacher salaries, increased classroom funding, and better student support services—not for dismantling the very institutions designed to uphold educational standards. Their agenda isn’t about helping students—it’s about consolidating power and pushing a narrow ideological vision onto America’s schools.
Exactly
Public schools are a joke. I taught in them for 30 years.
She’s correct. But the reason some don’t want to agree is because she is a Republican. So who is really playing politics
Why do you think public schools are a joke even though you taught in them for thirty years? Honest question.
Because I have seen the progression of lowered standards of behavior from students. In have seen the gradual decline in parents accepting responsibility for their child. I have seen the utilization of political tools used in assessment which are invalid. I have seen the focus on funding rather than educating. I have seen the degrading of learning how to think into what to think. I have seen parents abdicate all responsibility to the school ( which the schools prefer). I have seen the decline of basic thinking skills and common sense, manners,decorum. These are but a few things I have seen in my over 30 years. I could go on but the fact is public schools are a failure.
Amen and a high-five!
I’m glad it was noted at the end of the article that she created this national organization. I couldn’t imagine a legit organization hiring her as their executive director. But makes sense she named herself exec director of her organization.
She is a joke !!!
The facts are, since the creation of the Department of Education every metric measuring student achievement has declined in the US. We didn’t have the DoE until 1980 so it’s not like we have had it forever.
She is exactly right!!! Declining school and student standards, extreme behavior issues, parents aren’t parenting and the list goes on. No wonder so many people want private school.
I apologize for the long reply but this subject matter is deep and complicated.
Concerns about declining student behavior, lack of manners, and disrespect cannot be ignored. While parenting plays a role, the issue is deeper, shaped by economic pressures, social media influence, and shifting norms that undermine authority. Many parents work long hours, limiting their ability to engage with their children, while digital culture glorifies entitlement and discourages personal accountability. Schools, meanwhile, struggle with limited disciplinary tools and growing political interference. Instead of blaming parents or schools, we need solutions that support families, promote character education, and emphasize critical thinking. Teaching respect, responsibility, and independent problem-solving will not only improve student behavior but also prepare children for success in an ever-changing world. Strengthening public education, not abandoning it, is the key to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive.
The education system is on the verge of a massive transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Schools will need to adapt, but abandoning public education in favor of private schools is not the answer. The public school system has worked for generations, evolving to meet the needs of each era, and it remains the best way to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have access to a quality education. Parents often tell their children, “I want you to have a better life than I did.” That desire for a better future is why education is so important, and parents need to remember this when change happens. The world is constantly evolving, and education must evolve with it.
AI has the potential to revolutionize learning by personalizing education for each student. Adaptive learning platforms can adjust lessons based on a student’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that they grasp concepts at their own pace. AI tutors can provide one-on-one assistance, helping students who might otherwise struggle in traditional classroom settings. Automated grading and administrative tools can free up teachers to focus on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills rather than spending excessive time on paperwork. These advancements will make education more efficient, accessible, and engaging—but they must be implemented within the public system, not as an excuse to privatize and further divide education based on wealth and privilege.
Many critics argue that public schools are “shoving things down kids’ throats,” but that complaint is often rooted in resistance to progress. Public schools are designed to prepare children to live and thrive in a multicultural world, teaching them to interact with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. That’s not indoctrination—it’s a fundamental life skill. In an increasingly global society, the ability to collaborate and communicate with diverse groups of people is essential for success. Private schools, by contrast, often serve more homogenous populations and can shield students from differing viewpoints, leaving them less prepared for the real world. Parents who say they want their children to have better lives must recognize that the ability to adapt to change, work with others, and think independently is a key part of that success.
One of the most critical areas that public education must emphasize is critical thinking skills. AI can help reinforce these skills by challenging students with problem-solving scenarios, encouraging them to ask questions, analyze information, and form their own conclusions. In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly, the ability to think independently is more important than ever. Critical thinking empowers students to find their voice, advocate for themselves, and become active, engaged citizens rather than passive recipients of information. It’s not just about academics—it’s about preparing young people to navigate life with confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility.
Public education must evolve, but the core mission remains the same: to create informed, capable, and well-rounded citizens. AI can enhance learning, but it cannot replace the values that public schools instill—inclusion, adaptability, and the ability to think critically. Parents who want their children to have better lives must recognize that education is the foundation of that progress. The solution isn’t to funnel money into private schools that only serve a select few; it’s to strengthen and modernize public education so that every child has the opportunity to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
A nurse whose only experience in teaching was home schooling her kids is not a qualified person to run any department of education, nor is that person a reliable source of what should be done at the federal level. She really needs to remember the people of NC saw through her nonsense in November and she just needs to sit down and shut up. Perhaps she should change her name to Karen.