Trump moves to dismantle education dept

WASHINGTON — Flanked by students and educators, US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order intended to dismantle the federal Department of Education, making good on a long-standing campaign promise to conservatives.

The order is designed to leave school policy almost entirely in the hands of states and local boards, a prospect that alarms liberal education advocates.

Thursday's order was the first step "to eliminate" the department, Trump said at a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Shuttering the agency completely requires an act of Congress, and Trump lacks the votes for that.