Ignorant People Want to Keep the Department of Education, Informed People Don’t: Poll

A new survey indicates that voter support for closing the Department of Education increases significantly once respondents are provided with additional information about how the change would work.

The poll was conducted by the Yes Every Kid Foundation, an organization that advocates for school choice.

At the outset, 51 percent of respondents said they opposed shutting down the Department, while 38 percent supported the idea.

After learning that K–12 funding would remain in place and that functions would be reassigned to other federal agencies, support rose to 56 percent.

Opposition declined to 30 percent.

Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the Department of Education, discussed the administration’s approach in comments to the New York Post.

She said, “President Trump and Secretary [Linda] McMahon are dedicated to improving education for our nation’s students — and that begins with empowering those who are closest to the child.

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Returning education to the states means rightsizing the federal role in education by removing unnecessary red tape and micromanagement by DC while maintaining critical funding for students with disabilities and low-income schools and continuing to protect students’ civil rights.”

The poll showed that support rose again after respondents were informed about long-term declines in reading and math scores.

With that additional context, 59 percent said they favored closing the Department.

The survey’s findings come as the administration continues efforts to reduce the Department of Education’s size.

President Trump has directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to shrink the department to what he described as the “maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”

According to the information released, the department has been reduced by nearly half, with several programs consolidated as part of preparations for a potential closure.

Closing the Department of Education would require legislation passed by Congress.

Republicans do not currently have enough votes to enact such a measure, but the administration has said it will continue to pursue reductions allowed under existing law.

The Yes Every Kid Foundation survey contrasts with other polling frequently cited by major media outlets, which has indicated that closing the Department would be unpopular.

The new findings suggest that voter opinions shift once respondents receive more detailed explanations about funding, program transitions, and the roles of state governments.

The poll results reflect ongoing discussions in Washington about federal involvement in education policy.

The administration has emphasized that any restructuring would maintain funding for students with disabilities and low-income schools while shifting other responsibilities to states or different federal agencies.