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President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at dismantling the Department of Education while moving some of its core functions to other departments.
The order recognizes it would take an act of Congress to officially eliminate the department but it directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to do all she can to achieve its end.
Earlier this month, the department laid off nearly half of its staffers. The actions leave the department with 2,183 employees, down from 4,133 when Trump took office in January.
The White House said programs providing for Pell Grants and student loans, as well as those providing for special needs children will continue but move to other agencies.