On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Education in the U.S. The concept of abolishing the Department of Education has been circulating since its creation. In fact, Trump is not the first Republican president to challenge its existence– controversy surrounding the department has been prevalent in politics since the Civil War.
The Department of Education has evolved since its creation; the department consistently pursues its goals to ensure equal access to education, enhance primary and secondary education, and increase access to college through student loans and financial aid programs.
In fact, the department has directly impacted poverty-stricken public high schools with programs that are set up to improve equality in schools. To specify, the Title 1 Funding program provides support to lower-income students, ensuring all individuals are able to thrive in schools.
Moreover, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds states to guarantee equal education and extra assistance to students with mental and physical disabilities. IDEA protects the rights of disabled people in schools and pushes new programs to be developed that will benefit their educational environment.
If the Department of Education provides these assets to schools, why would its removal be a prevalent discussion? Project 2025 called for the dismantling of the department for a few purposes: to decrease government control over public education, censor efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) programs, and cut funding to schools. In theory, the removal of the department will improve test scores that are at “near historical lows” and will return schools under state control.
Although alterations or removal of the Department of Education are not finalized, it is certain that there will be changes to current programs that protect the rights of students if the current administration follows through with the executive order. Government efforts to improve the quality of education, inclusivity, and equity in schools will be shut down and could have significant effects on public education.