President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order abolishing the Department of Education as early as Thursday. The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the dismantling process and transfer key responsibilities back to the states.

According to a draft of the order, Trump believes the federal education system has failed students, teachers, and families. His administration argues that shifting control to local governments will improve education outcomes and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.

“The experiment of controlling American education through federal programs and dollars has failed our children,” reads the draft order.

Trump has been vocal about his desire to shut down the department, stating that his goal is to “drain the government education swamp” and stop the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who was recently confirmed, has already signaled support for the move. In an email to staff, she said Trump and American voters had tasked her with eliminating bureaucratic bloat at the agency. She assured lawmakers that key education programs, including Pell Grants and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, would remain in place.

The Department of Education, which spent $268 billion last year, has faced criticism over declining test scores. The US currently ranks 20th out of 41 nations in education, according to an international report. Many Republicans see this as evidence that the federal agency is ineffective.

While the executive order will set the process in motion, full elimination of the department may require congressional approval. The decision is expected to spark legal and political battles, with opponents arguing that federal oversight is essential to maintaining education standards.

With Trump pushing forward, the fate of the Department of Education is now in the hands of lawmakers—and the American public.