HIGHER EDUCATION - DISMANTLING ED NOT A PRIORITY - BENNETT TELLS PANEL

Sep 28, 2026

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Daily news coverage for higher education administrators, dated Tuesday, January 29, 1985. Reports that William Bennett, nominated as U.S. Education Department secretary, told a Senate panel he was not asked to dismantle the department and emphasized there were more urgent priorities. Describes questioning by senators about the potential abolition of the Department of Education and Bennett’s hiring and affirmative action record, including his claim of a better-than-average minority and women hiring outcome. Notes plans for a six-month effectiveness study and previews additional education-related meetings with dates and contact addresses.

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DISMANTLING ED NOT A PRIORITY, BENNETT TELLS PANEL

Bennett’s responses to senators

Hiring record and affirmative action

Study of department effectiveness

Meetings list (February education-related meetings)

YALE'S BLUE-COLLAR UNION EXPECTED TO ACCEPT PACT

HIGHER EDUCATIONDAILYThe Independent daily news service foradministrators in postsecondaryeducation. Vo1.13,No.20 Tuesday,January 29,1985 # DISMANTLING ED NOT A PRIORITY,BENNETT TELLS PANEL William Bennett yesterday told senators questioning him on his nomination asEducation Department secretary that he"was not asked to dismantle the de-partment,"adding,"There are more important things to do." In a hearing on Bennett's confirmation to the Cabinet-level post,senators onthe Labor and Human Resources Committee asked the National Endowment for theHumanities chairman question after question regarding the abolition of thedepartment,an idea President Reagan favors. Bennett,41,told the panel the president "recognizes the political reality"that Congress wold not approve the elimination of ED,"I have no intention ofspending the next four years debating whether there should be a Department ofEducation."But he wavered on the question of whether he would carry out suchorders if Reagan changes his mind and decides to push for abolishing ED. Despite some harsh questions on the subject of abolishing ED,Bennett receiveda warm welcome from most committee members,few of whom asked about his stanceon affirmative action in hiring· That topic and Bennett's refusal last yearto provide the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with NEH's goals inhiring women and minorities,was expected to be the subject of most criticism. Better Than AverageBut only a few questions touched on the controversy.In response to questions from Sen.Paul Simon,D-Il1.,Bennett said NEH underhis tenure actually had a better than average minority and women hiring record. For example,Bennett said,some 10 percent of NEH's top wage earners are blackwomen,an average that is 10 percent higher than the governmentwide average.And 26 percent of top wage earners are black,three times higher than the gov-ernment average,he said."This record is not by chance and I don't think weshould count by race,"Bennett said. Rep.Cardiss Collins,D-I11.,who as chairwomen of the Government Activitiesand Transportation Subcommittee objected to Bennett's EEOC stance last year,also questioned Bennett about his hiring record. Bennett also told the panel that under Reagan's orders,he will launch a six-month study of the department's "effectiveness." "Do you think there is a six-month study going on over at the Department ofDefene as to whether there should be a Department of Defense?"asked Sen.Lowell Weicker,R-Conn."Much of the doubt [on the confirmation]could bedispelled by a simple statement by the administration as to the continuedexistence of the Department of Education."Sens.Thomas Eagleton,D-Mo.,andRobert Stafford,R-Vt.,were equally concerned about whether Bennett plans toshut down the department's doors if he is confirmed.(more) January 29,1985 # DISMANTLING ED NOT A PRIORITY,BENNETT TELLS PANEL(Cont.) But Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch,R-Utah,told his colleagues,"There is noreason for us to work ourselves up over this issue,"adding that there is"noway this committee is going to do this [abolish the department]·" Bennett said he thinks the potential elimination of the National Institute ofEducation,which an ED task force is now studying,is "the kind of work thatfalls under general research-gathering,falls among the things that are thedepartment's most important." During the three-and-a-half hour hearing,no senator stated direct oppositionto Bennett and it appeared he would have little trouble getting confirmed.Avote is expected this week.--Robin Wilson,Greg McCaffery =Meetings= Thefollowing list shows the dates and places of February education-related meetings as well as the addresses andtelephone numbers of the sponsoring groups. American Physical Therapy Association,1111 North Fairfax St.,Alexandria,Va.22314,(703)684-APTA. Feb.3-6 Orlando,Fla. Feb.4-570001,Job-Readiness Curriculum,600 Maryland Ave.SW,Washington,D.C.St.Louis,Mo.20024,(202)484-0103. Feb.

FAQs

What did William Bennett say about dismantling the Department of Education?

Bennett told senators he was not asked to dismantle the department and said there were more important things to do.

How did Bennett address concerns about minority and women hiring?

He said NEH under his tenure had a better-than-average minority and women hiring record, citing figures for black women and black top wage earners.

What did Bennett say he would do regarding the department’s effectiveness?

He said that under Reagan’s orders he would launch a six-month study of the department’s effectiveness.

Sep 28, 2026

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