In a bold move that's stirred heated debate, President Trump has issued an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, sending shockwaves through Senate Democrats who are ardently voicing their concerns. Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt from Oklahoma City didn't mince words in her critique of the decision, stating to Oklahoma Senate reporters, "We have seen nothing so far that gives me confidence this change will be well-planned or avoid negatively impacting student learning."

While Kirt outlined the uncertainty and potential upheaval for educators and students alike, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Carri Hicks also chimed in echoing these sentiments, adding the impact it could have on future opportunities for children in Oklahoma, a state already lingering at the 49th position in education rankings, is dire for both the current and future workforce and the state's economy, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate.

What's at the forefront of this legislative altercation is the idea that while Congress might be the only body capable of formally ending a federal department, President Trump’s decision purportedly shakes the foundation of educational governance and oversight, particularly among marginalized groups. Sen. Regina Goodwin, as reported by Oklahoma Senate, argued vehemently that this move "greatly harms American children, particularly, our most underserved children."

Amid the critical voices, Sen. Mark Mann didn't hold back on the local implications for Oklahoma, indicating the superintending incompetence that could arise from shifting such federal responsibilities to the state level, given the existing state disarray and education system ranking near last he indicated that Ryan Walters, the state Superintendent, is "woefully underprepared and incapable of handling the responsibilities he currently has, let alone being handed new ones,” gutting civil rights education and overlooking the necessity of federal oversight, has Democratic Senators worried about a catastrophic backtrack, as per the Oklahoma Senate.