PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) -- Many Virginia leaders have responded to President Donald Trump's order for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Trump has ordered the dismantling of the US Education Department. Here’s what that means The executive order signed on Thursda y comes after Trump called the department wasteful and claimed it was responsible for spreading "woke" ideas. According to the department itself, the federal contribution for elementary and secondary education is around 8%, which includes funds from both the ED and other federal agencies. A majority of funds at the elementary and secondary level, around 92%, come from state, local and private sources. Trump says the Education Department will shed oversight of student loans and special education The Trump Administration assured concerned residents that student loans and FAFSA would not be impacted by the dismantling of the department and that programs involving students with disabilities — one of their current responsibilities — would be handled by the Department of Health and Human Services. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that the state is ready to take on the responsibility for K-12 education, saying that he is "grateful" for Trump's executive order. A plea for governor, president to visit Portsmouth Public Schools amid plans to abolish Dept. of Education "Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education," Youngkin said. "We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support. We welcome the federal government's shift of responsibility to the states — and we are grateful that President Trump's executive order does just that. The EO also makes it clear that there will be no discrimination in the classrooms. We will continue to ensure every students graduates career-, college-, or military-ready." Democrats within the Commonwealth feel differently than the governor, with many calling for an immediate halt to the dismantling of ED. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who is running for Virginia governor, said the dismantling would cause students, parents and teachers to suffer. "The strength of our schools is personal to me," Spanberger said. "I'm the mother of three daughters in Virginia public schools — one in elementary school, one in middle school, and one in high school. I know that kids, families, and schools across the Commonwealth will bear the brunt of this irresponsible decision. Virginia's students, parents, teachers, and schools will suffer if the Trump Administration cuts education funding. Federal resources fortify critical lifelines for families to receive the support they need, particularly for parents of kids with disabilities, preschoolers enrolled in Head Start, students in rural school districts, and Virginians who count on Pell Grants to purse higher education." Several House Democrats, including Bobby Scott and Gerald Connolly, sent a letter to the current Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to halt the dismantling of ED, saying that the executive order was illegal. "We write regarding your and President Trump's ongoing attacks on our kids, our schools, our communities, and our country's future," the representatives wrote. "Today, [President] Trump issued an executive order unlawfully instructing you to dismantle the Department of Education, a process that you are already implementing — through, among other means, the so-called reduction in ofrce announced on March 11, 2025 and earlier announced personnel changes that would terminate half of the Department's more than 4,100 employees." Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who voted against the nomination of McMahon, was also critical of the executive order, saying that the shutdown could harm the state's economic growth and competitiveness. "Everyone knows that economic success in America begins with a good education, whether that be for a four-year degree or a stellar K-12 experience and high-quality career and technical programs," Kaine said. "President Trump's executive order to gut the U.S. Department of Education underscores how out of touch he is with students, parents, and educators. This order will have negative impacts on every student and harm our economic growth and competitiveness. It will cut off critical funding for K-12 schools, make it harder for students with disabilities to access educational opportunities, and hinder students' ability to access higher education and job training. We should be investing more in younger generations, not less, and I will fight to ensure ever student — regardless of their zip code — can continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve." The full executive order can be read in full here. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. ...read more read less