President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the US Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise. The order, which targets reducing the federal government’s role in education, has raised concerns about its potential consequences for students across the country. While the president cannot entirely eliminate the department without Congressional approval, he has begun a significant reduction of its staff and functions.
The executive order, which aims to shift more power to state governments, has sparked debate over the future of federal education programs, funding, and oversight. Here are four key things to know about the push to dismantle the Department of Education and its potential impact on US students.
Cuts to staff and funding for low-income students
Under Trump’s plan, nearly 50% of the Department of Education’s workforce is set to be cut. As reported by CNN, this includes layoffs and voluntary buyouts, with major reductions affecting key offices like the Office for Civil Rights. This will severely impact the department’s ability to protect students from discrimination and monitor issues like antisemitism, racism, and discrimination against students with disabilities.
The Department of Education is a major provider of funding to US school districts, particularly those serving low-income students. It provides more than $18 billion annually to support schools in high-poverty areas. The department’s Title I program alone serves about 26 million low-income students, and advocates are concerned that these cuts will lead to reduced support for students who need it most.
Impact on students with disabilities
The Department of Education also provides essential services for students with disabilities. As CNN reported, the agency helps fund programs for students with disabilities, including schools for the deaf and blind, and ensures the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This provides more than $15 billion in annual support to 7.4 million students.
Trump’s plan calls for shifting these services to the Department of Health and Human Services, which has less expertise in education. As quoted by the CNN, Mia Ives-Rublee of the Center for American Progress warned that this shift could make it more difficult for students with disabilities to access the services they need, leading to “a radical change in the way we provide or don’t provide services to disabled students.”
Concerns over student loan management
The Department of Education currently manages a student loan portfolio totaling $1.8 trillion. However, the executive order has left questions about the future of this massive portfolio, especially since about 40% of loans are past due, as reported by CNN. Initially, the administration suggested moving the student loan management functions to the Treasury Department or the Small Business Administration, but sources within the administration have indicated that these plans have not been fully developed.
Local control over school curriculum
Despite concerns about broader changes to education, the executive order will not directly affect the curriculum in US schools. As noted in the original legislation that created the Department of Education, local and state governments retain control over school curricula. Therefore, the executive order is unlikely to result in direct changes to what students learn in the classroom.
The push to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most significant efforts to reshape federal education policy in recent history. While the full scope of the changes remains unclear, students and educators are bracing for potential disruptions to vital programs and services.