It’s no secret that President-elect Donald Trump and the Republicans want to dismantle the US Department of Education (DOE). Trump has promised to close the DOE and, in doing so, delegate the task of managing education to the states. In Trump’s view, the federal government should not have much, if any, role in education because states can do a better job of educating their children.
The US Constitution doesn’t have much to say about education, and education is already the responsibility of local governments. The federal DOE’s role is to collect data, oversee special education, protect civil rights, and distribute funds. In total, K-12 schools receive approximately $28 billion annually from Title 1 and IDEA programs, $30 billion annually to low-income college students through Pell Grants, and $1.6 trillion to for students with student loans.
It is important to note that the DOE does not tell schools or teachers what to do. But federal government programs and incentives, such as the Race to the Top initiative from the Obama administration, are shrinking and impacting what schools and districts focus on.
So, what will dismantling the DOE mean for schools and teachers?
Article 1
Title 1 funds are distributed to schools that serve high numbers of poor students. The goal is to compare per-pupil spending between high- and low-income districts. Overall, about 10% of school funding comes from the federal government, so removing or redistributing Title 1 funds will have varying effects by state.
Without Title 1 funds, districts that rely heavily on state funding will have to make different choices than districts that rely heavily on local funds. Of course, it remains to be seen whether disbanding the DOE will send Title 1 funds directly to states or if those funds will be repurposed for another effort.
Special Education
The DOE plays an important role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the supports they need by enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If IDEA was turned over to the states, or if the DOE could not implement the law, the states would not be held accountable. Students with disabilities may not get what they need. Districts and schools can withhold resources or not meet their obligations, and from state to state, students with disabilities will have very different levels of services.
Additionally, DOE provides guidance and support to schools as they implement IDEA. Thus, dismantling the DOE would reduce funding for special education and leave schools in limbo. States with more local funding will be able to maintain standards, while states with less funding may cut services, leaving students and families without support.
Finally, the DOE is the federal advocate for students and families who need to challenge schools when students are not receiving adequate resources. If the DOE is disbanded, it will be very difficult for parents to advocate for their children. This means that, over time, decades of progress in improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities could be reduced or lost.
Human Rights
DOE also has an Office of Civil Rights, which oversees and resolves discrimination violations based on gender, race, religion, or disability status. If the DOE were to be disbanded, support and representation for students who are LGBTQ+, with disabilities, and from different racial and ethnic groups would vary from state to state. Trump has been talking about ending protections for transgender students. College students who experience incidents of bullying, anti-Arabism, and other forms of discrimination may also have few protections outside of the Office of Human Rights.
School Choice
Trump and the Republican Party have long advocated the use of vouchers, private school scholarships, and education savings accounts to expand school choice. Critics, including lawmakers in “red” states, argue that the measures take away funding from public schools at a time when they should be strengthening and improving them. If the DOE were abolished and districts had control over school choice programs, school choice initiatives would likely still be on the ballot. Each state will vote on what programs they want in their state. But that may not be the case from public schools.
Educational Data
The DOE collects educational data, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which monitors student achievement in reading, math, and science. The department also monitors data related to students receiving special education, student demographics, graduation rates, and more. Abolishing the DOE will change what type of data is collected and how it is monitored. The data helps policymakers focus on important education outcomes, such as ensuring that all students benefit and that schools address achievement gaps. Without the DOE collecting and disseminating this type of information, it is unclear whether those goals will be addressed.
higher education
In terms of higher education, a major goal of the Trump administration appears to be eliminating programs that provide scholarships and financial aid to students from diverse backgrounds. Abolishing the DOE would give states greater power and authority to eliminate these programs, potentially reversing progress that has been made on equity in higher education.
Who will be in charge of the DOE?
President-elect Trump has tapped Linda McMahon to lead the DOE. He previously headed the Small Business Administration and is perhaps best known for being the founder and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). While in WWE, he was named in a lawsuit accusing WWE of allowing the sexual harassment of minors by a ringside announcer. As Secretary of Education, McMahon’s duties will include revising the definition of Title IX to exclude sexuality or gender identity, increasing parental voice and school choice, and even eliminating the department entirely.
Can Trump even shut down the DOE?
To shut down the DOE, Trump needs an act of Congress, which would make it difficult. In particular, it would require a supermajority in the Senate—60 votes. Every legislator receives funding through DOE programs, and “red” states receive the largest share. Therefore, lawmakers may not want to risk funding that directly affects their constituents.
Also, the DOE is a department that can help the Trump administration fulfill some of its campaign promises. They say they want to hold universities accountable, cut DEI programs, and repeal Title IX protections for transgender students. But they would need the DOE to do that. Therefore, it may be necessary for Donald Trump to keep the DOE around and use it to enforce other policies.
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