Pakistan, March 23 -- In a stunning policy shift that has sent shockwaves through the education sector, President Donald J. Trump has dismantled the U.S. Department of Education. Framing the move as an overdue return of control to the states, Trump described it as a step toward "freedom of choice," empowering families and communities to decide what's best for their children's education without interference from Washington.

The now-defunct Department, which oversaw national education standards, civil rights protections, and billions in federal funding, has been stripped of its authority. In its place, states are being asked to take full ownership of their education systems-designing their own curricula, setting standards, managing teacher...