Trump, 78, has also made no bones about his plans for the Education Department, telling reporters last month he hoped his nominee would “put herself out of a job.”

Around 3,000 people work in the department's Washington headquarters, and about 1,000 are in 10 regional offices across the country.

A draft executive order proposes dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. Here's what local education leaders are saying.

After Congress established the Department of Education, the department's seven objectives in law are: Helping ensure access to equal educational opportunity for everyone. Support states, localities and public and private institutions. Promote improvements in education through research, evaluation, and the sharing of information.

The US Education Department said it is cutting nearly 50% of its workforce, according to senior agency officials, as President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating the agency altogether.