ST. LOUIS—President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to dismantle parts of the United States Department of Education. It has drawn mixed reaction from Missouri and Illinois officials.

Missouri and Illinois have detailed how much federal education money it receives each year. You can find that breakdown here.

“President Trump has no plan to improve literacy, math scores, or get more teachers on the job. When Donald Trump attacks education, he is failing America because the success of our students is what will make our economy, future, and nation stronger.

"Eliminating the Department of Education will likely have harsh and immediate impacts on Illinois’ students."It will harm students and their families in rural communities who rely on federal funding to keep their schools open. It will remove supports students with disabilities and special needs rely upon. And low-income students who depend on Pell Grants to earn their college degrees will be forced to drop out.

“Making preschool more available, college degrees more affordable, and college readiness for K-12 students more attainable has been a primary focus of my administration. Our schools need more support not less, and we’ve made progress in Illinois: the recently released Nation’s Report Card shows that despite the setbacks of the pandemic, our state’s eighth graders have the second highest reading scores fifth highest math scores in the United States. And Illinois’ high school graduation rate is the highest in 14 years.

“Education is foundational to the success of our people, our state and the future of America. Our schools serve as centers of community, feed our children, and prepare them for careers that fuel our economy. We must empower our teachers and students to succeed – no matter their background and across every rural, suburban, and urban area in Illinois.

“All the best research shows that focusing dollars on our children is one of the most fiscally responsible investments we can make: it reduces future expenditures and offers one of the highest returns on investment. It yields a higher high school graduation rate, a higher college attendance rate, greater lifetime earnings, lower healthcare costs, lower crime rates, and an overall reduction in the need for human services spending. Nowhere is this more evident than with the students who have historically been left out and left behind. Investing in our children’s education pays off—and it’s the right thing to do.”

"The dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education is devastating news for Missouri’s students. This reckless decision harms our most vulnerable children, redirecting critical education funding to benefit billionaires and CEOs. Students who rely on special education services, meal programs for low-income families, and financial aid for college or career training will face delays, disruptions, or outright denial of essential support.

"Teachers across Missouri witness every day how these resources change lives. Losing them will mean larger class sizes, fewer supports, and less individual attention for each student. Our children have only one opportunity at a quality education. Educators understand clearly what is at stake if politicians are allowed to rob our students of their futures.

"Missouri’s educators and school staff will not remain silent. We will stand together to protect the resources our students urgently need and rightfully deserve. We call on educators, parents, and communities across Missouri to unite and deliver a clear message to Washington D.C.: Our students’ futures are not negotiable."

"If Trump orders the abolition of the Department of Education, it would gut Pell Grants, kill career training programs, and end student loan protections. A select few stand to benefit from stripping opportunity away from our children—and it's NOT the American people," per his X account

“President Trump’s directive to shut down the Department of Education is one of his most destructive actions yet. This department plays a critical role in helping Americans afford college, supporting students with special needs, and ensuring every child – no matter their zip code – has access to a high-quality education,” said Budzinski. “Not only will this move help to dismantle our public education system, it is blatant overreach of executive authority. I invite my Republican colleagues to bring this measure to the floor — let them explain to the families in their districts why they are voting to take away critical education programs their children rely on.”

“Today is a historic day for students and parents across America. As a mother of seven homeschooled children, I applaud President Trump for completing his promise to dismantle the Department of Education and put parents back in control,” said Congresswoman Miller. “For far too long, our students have been left behind by woke, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats and a bloated system failing them academically. Now, our country has the opportunity to expand educational freedom, increase opportunities for families, and unlock our full potential.”

President Trump’s executive order has the Secretary of Education facilitating the closure of the Department of Education and returning education authority to the states. The process is to be done efficently and without interruptiong of essential services, programs, and benefits that Americans rely upon.