Recently, Donald Trump declared war on the U.S. Department of Education, which could spell out trouble for the nation’s top schooling agency.
Trump has shared his plans to eliminate the DOE several times. However, his most recent remarks arrived earlier this month during a rally in Wisconsin. There, he made accusations against the department, fueling misinformation.
The government’s involvement in education dates back to the 1800s. However, the Department of Education was officially created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, essentially to consolidate federal educational programs. The idea was to improve academic quality, provide better federal oversight, and ensure equal access to education for all students, including historically marginalized groups. It also separated education from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, making education a standalone priority. This agency manages and distributes federal funds for education, particularly programs like Pell Grants, Title I (for low-income schools), and special education. It also ensures educational institutions do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, disability, or other factors.
Such rhetoric by Trump is extremely dangerous, and if he is successful in his attempts to dismantle the DOE, here is what is at stake.
Disruption of Funds
The Department of Education distributes billions in federal funds to K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and special education programs. If it disappeared, there would be confusion and potential delays or cuts in funding for critical programs like Title I for low-income schools, Pell Grants for college students, and funding for students with disabilities. Additionally, many states rely on federal funding to supplement their education budgets. They might face shortfalls, especially in poorer regions.
Disruption of Educational Equity
With the Supreme Court banning affirmative action last year, eliminating the Department of Education could have even more profound effects on students’ experiences. Since the Department plays a key role in ensuring schools do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or other protected statuses, its absence could lead to weaker enforcement of civil rights laws in education, leading to potential increases in discrimination and inequity.
Risks to Special Education and Disability Rights
The enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) could be weakened, reducing protections and services for students with disabilities.
Decrease of Data Collection and Research
The Department collects nationwide data and conducts research that helps shape education policy and improve school performance. Without it, there would be gaps in information, making it harder to assess schools’ performance across the country.
While the dissolution of the Department of Education would face pushback, under Trump’s tenure in the White House, it certainly would not be impossible. It would pose a host of threats to the quality of education in the United States.
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