Federal oversight by the U.S. Department of Education has often created bureaucratic obstacles rather than actually improving student outcomes.

Even as President Trump has vowed to close the Education Department, he has sought to use the agency’s powers. Dana Goldstein, a reporter covering education and families for The New York Times, describes what the department does and does not do.

Linda McMahon, Trump's education secretary pick, has her confirmation hearing on Thursday amid reports of plans to shut down the Education Department.

If Linda McMahon is confirmed as education secretary, President Donald Trump has said he wants the former wrestling executive to “put herself out of a job.”