A new bill making its way through the Georgia General Assembly is setting the stage for a major victory for states’ rights and local control over education. In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Georgia is taking decisive action to reclaim control of its educational system.
Senate Bill 154, sponsored by Cobb Republican State Senators John Albers, Kay Kilpatrick, and Ed Setzler, proposes removing all references to the federal agency from Georgia’s legal code. This legislative move underscores the state’s commitment to local governance in education.
The push comes as President Trump follows through on his promise to eliminate what many conservatives see as a bloated and bureaucratic federal agency. For years, Georgia Republicans have called for an end to Washington’s overreach into education.
Senator John Albers emphasized the importance of state autonomy, stating, “Education decisions are best made by those closest to our students. By eliminating federal overreach, we empower our local educators and parents to tailor learning experiences that meet our community’s unique needs.”
Echoing this sentiment, Senator Kay Kilpatrick remarked, “The dissolution of the Department of Education allows Georgia to innovate and implement policies that directly benefit our students without unnecessary federal mandates.”
The Department of Education, created under the Carter administration, has long burdened states with mandates, stifled local decision-making, and funneled billions of taxpayer dollars into inefficient programs with little to show for it.
With SB 154, Georgia is leading the charge to reclaim authority over its own schools, ensuring that curriculum decisions are made by those who know students best—parents, teachers, and local leaders.
Many conservatives say, “The federal government’s one-size-fits-all policies have failed our children for years. It’s time to return power to the states and let Georgia decide what’s best for Georgia’s students”
Senator Ed Setzler also highlighted the benefits of the bill, noting, “By removing federal constraints, we can focus on what truly matters: delivering quality education that prepares our children for the future.”
These perspectives from Cobb County legislators reflect a broader movement within Georgia to assert state control over education policies, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of the state’s education system.
SB 154, which has already passed the Senate, is more than just a legislative housekeeping measure. By eliminating all references to the U.S. Department of Education from Georgia’s Official Code (OCGA), the bill ensures a smooth transition as the state disentangles itself from federal oversight.
“Many professions in Georgia have statutory education and training requirements regulated by the U.S. Department of Education,” said Sen. Bo Hatchett, a Republican sponsor of the bill. “Without updating state law, the department’s dissolution could jeopardize the accreditation of licensed professionals.”
The federal department’s dissolution has left many education bureaucrats and special interest groups wringing their hands over Trump’s executive order. However, Georgia families and educators who value freedom and accountability are embracing the shift.
This legislation is a crucial step toward returning control to the people who actually educate children—not unelected federal bureaucrats pushing political agendas. With strong conservative leadership in the General Assembly, Georgia is setting an example for other states to follow: education should be a state and local issue, not dictated by Washington elites.
