Secretary of Education Linda McMahon defended a return of education funds to the states, arguing it would produce the best education “closest to the child.”

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week in his latest attempt to dismantle the Education Department that was created by President Jimmy Carter 45 years ago. While its employees are laid off and the funds are transferred to states, the president made it clear that the department will still handle “pell grants, Title I funding, [and] resources for children with disabilities and special needs.”