President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education on Thursday, March 20.

The executive order calls on the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities.” 

The order also orders the Secretary of Education to ensure the use of Department of Education funds complies with Federal law and Administration policy, “including the requirement that any program or activity receiving Federal assistance terminate illegal discrimination obscured under the label ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) or similar terms and programs promoting gender ideology.”

Before signing the executive order, Trump said Department of Education responsibilities such as Pell grants, Title I funding, and resources for children with disabilities and special needs will be “fully preserved” and “redistributed to various other agencies and departments.”