The Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education

Meet The Writer

By Cielo Corona Castro

Staff Writer

What is the current situation for the U.S. Department of Education? On Thursday, March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requesting the dismantlement of the Department of Education.

The Department of Education was established in 1979 under President James E. Carter with the objective “To strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual.” The unit is responsible for the distribution of federal funds, educational research, and the enforcement of civil rights laws.

It should be noted that school districts and states do not have the finances to back all the work they do for students, which is where the Department of Education steps in. Congress appropriates funds for the department, which are distributed to students, state and local educational agencies, and community-based organizations supporting students. Examples of laws through which funds are distributed include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act- supporting the education of students with disabilities in their local schools, and Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act- supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, those with limited English proficiency, Native American children, and children who are delinquent or neglected. Postsecondary education is also financed directly through Pell grants and student loans.

The unit organizes research and collects data on all aspects of education, part of which is used to request future funding levels. They also support investigations on critical issues in education, including the most effective interventions to teach children and youth. Through its division known as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), complaints of discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, color, disability, or age in educational institutions [receiving federal funding] are investigated and resolved.

Earlier this month, Trump’s administration reduced the Department of Education’s workforce by half. Trump stated that the department’s operations, including student loans and programs involving students with disabilities, would be handled by other departments, and funds would be sent directly to states for spending. He denounced the department as a “waste of taxpayer money” that has “become infected by liberal ideology.” The action was said to be justified by the latest national tests, which indicated a widening gap between the highest-performing and lower-performing students. However, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the nation's ongoing representative survey of student achievement across various subjects, there are “gains in student performance from the 1970s until the present day (despite concerning declines over the last few years).” As a result, we must consider what might happen to the support received by schools in need. After all, some fear that this change could “result in weaker protections.”

It is possible that if federal funding through the Department of Education ends, critical programs such as those of special education and school lunch subsidies will be under threat. If states require decreases in expenditures, those programs may be among the first to go, with the future of Pell Grants, student loans, and Title I grants under question. Project 2025, an initiative that includes the dismantlement of the Department of Education, has suggested that all grants and loans be returned to the private sector. It is also proposed that the focus should be instead on apprenticeships and vocational schools to “bolster the workforce skills of Americans who have no interest in pursuing a four-year academic degree.”

Amid the situation, SOAR teacher Ms. Nelsen shared, “I’m happy to be teaching in California because the state will still support and demand good programs. There is this sort of ‘safety net’ being here, and I haven’t heard this event be as much of a topic as I expected. I only had one student bring it up in class; they were really upset. I just think the Department of Education serves an important purpose, so I hope this is temporary. At this time, we must work to reaffirm our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.” Mr. Sedlaceck stated, “Since the development of the department, there has been a drop in test scores nationwide, so there needs to be a reform, a return on tax investment. It’s important that we take a look at it differently. I don’t see how this would impact us here at SOAR, but it could be an issue for some schools and districts. It may not be as seamless for more liberal-democratic states in comparison to those that have already been practicing this.”

According to the Brookings Institution, an organization conducting independent research focused on improving policy and governance at all levels, the Department of Education “is vital to supporting students’ access to high-quality educational opportunities and preparing an engaged citizenry and future workforce.” Approximately 90% of funding for local public schools comes from state and local governments, with the federal government providing the rest. Also, the districts serving more disadvantaged students receive more funding. After hearing about the state of affairs, sophomore Mariah Martinez revealed, “This situation is shocking. Instead of completely destroying this organization, we should focus efforts elsewhere. I just believe this will impact us as SOAR students since we’re heavily invested in our education and success.”

The dismantlement order has left many apprehensive about the future of equal learning opportunities. We must ask ourselves, “Is this alteration beneficial? What should we do as the people moving forward?”