The United States Department of Education, 1981-1985: Agenda for abolishment

• Main Author: Horiuchi, Ellen Nobuko
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1990
• Subjects: Education history; Educational administration; Public administration; School administration
• ISBN: 9798208204030

A reflection of the conservative American populace was captured in the Republican Platform of 1980, when President-elect Ronald Reagan promised to abolish the Departments of Energy and Education. But promises give way to realities, and Reagan's focus was fixed upon the significant major issues of the day, the economy and national defense. Congress was a key player. Yet Congress would not embroil itself in the issue after having so recently waged a bitter battle over the department's creation in 1979. Without legislation, the department was certain to remain. A group of far right extremists or ideologues, however, continued the banner waving of obliterating federal encroachment upon states' rights. Within the walls of the agency, the agenda was carried out. Secretary of Education Terrel Bell was an experienced Washington bureaucrat who was able to deflect some of the tactics devised by the ideologues as they sought strangle the department. The agenda to abolish the Department might have meandered slowly along crippling the organization had the Nation at Risk report not been published. This report created by Secretary Bell, and later claimed by the President as his own, focused attention on the growing concern of Americans about education. National attention riveted upon education, and from the lowest cabinet position, Secretary Bell found himself flying with the President on the campaign trail. With the election of President Reagan to a second term in 1984, Secretary Bell resigned after four grueling years in Washington. It was only prior to the confirmation of William Bennett as Secretary of Education that the ideologues within the White House finally repressed the agenda. In a terse memo to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, President Reagan formally stated that he would no longer recommend the agenda for abolishment.