President-elect Donald Trump and the Republicans have been vocal about their desire to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Trump’s plan involves sending the responsibilities of education administration back to the states, arguing that they would do a better job of educating children without federal intervention. The DOE’s current role includes collecting data, overseeing special education, protecting civil rights, and distributing funds to K-12 schools, low-income college students, and student loans.
Title 1 funding, which aims to equalize spending per pupil between high- and low-income districts, could be affected by the dismantling of the DOE. Without these funds, districts heavily reliant on federal funding may have to make difficult decisions regarding their budgets. Special education, enforced by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), could also suffer if shifted to the states, potentially leading to varying quality of services for students with disabilities across different states.
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights, responsible for resolving discrimination based on various factors, would also be impacted by the department’s closure. Protections for LGBTQ+, disabled, and racially diverse students could vary significantly from state to state. Additionally, education data collection and monitoring, as well as higher education scholarship programs, could face challenges if the DOE were abolished.
President-elect Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, known for her role in WWE and the Small Business Administration, to lead the DOE. However, closing the department would require an act of Congress, which may prove challenging given the need for a supermajority in the Senate. Lawmakers, particularly those from “red” states, may be hesitant to risk losing federal funding that directly impacts their constituents.
While Trump has expressed a desire to implement certain policies that align with closing the DOE, such as holding universities accountable and reducing DEI initiatives, the department itself may be necessary to enforce these policies. Ultimately, the decision to dismantle the DOE may not be as straightforward as initially proposed. Subscribe to our newsletters for more articles on education policy and reform.
