Department of Education in Danger

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE). The order directs the education secretary to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the states and local communities".

Ironically, despite his push to eliminate the DOE, Trump has relied on it to advance key aspects of his political agenda. His administration has leveraged the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to investigate and penalize schools and colleges that violate his directives on issues such as transgender athletes in women’s sports, pro-Palestinian activism, and diversity programs. The administration has wielded the threat of withdrawing federal education funding as a means of enforcing its policies. As a college student, I have observed how my university has responded to these threats of potential funding changes and policy shifts.

For decades, Republicans have called for eliminating the DOE, labeling it a "wasteful" and "liberally polluted program." However, without a doubt, if the DOE is dismantled this will have indelible consequences and result in a fundamentally unequal education system. Without federal oversight, disparities between states would widen, disproportionately harming marginalized communities, students with disabilities, and low-income families who rely on federal education funding and civil rights protections.

Fortunately, the U.S. government operates on a system of checks and balances across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches. The actual dismantling of the DOE would require congressional approval. Without legislative action, the department cannot be fully eliminated. Congress is the deciding factor in determining the future of federal education policy.

Why is the DOE important?

The DOE ensures equal access to education, upholds civil rights, and promotes policies that support historically marginalized students. Through initiatives like Title IX, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the DOE works to protect students from discrimination, improve access to quality education, and provide resources to underserved communities. The DOE funds federal student aid programs, supports public schools, and fosters research and innovation in education. The department is a crucial institution in shaping the nation’s educational landscape.

What will happen if the DOE is dismantled?

The Department of Education (DOE) currently administers funding for K-12 schools appropriated by Congress. Two of its largest programs are Title I, which supports education for children from low-income families, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program, which provides assistance for students with disabilities. Together, these programs account for approximately $28 billion annually. While this is a significant amount, it represents only about 10% of total education funding. It remains unclear how schools would compensate for the loss of federal funds if these programs were to be further reduced or eliminated.

In addition to budget cuts, federal student loans have become a major point of controversy. A large portion of the DOE’s responsibilities involves managing the nation's student loan system, which currently holds a $1.6 trillion portfolio. While the White House initially stated that the DOE would continue overseeing federal student loans, the executive order suggests otherwise. The order states that the department lacks the staffing to properly manage its loan operations and calls for transferring these responsibilities to the Small Business Administration (SBA) which raising concerns about the future of student loan management and borrower protections.

Further compounding concerns, the administration has significantly cut resources for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Reports indicate that staff in seven out of twelve OCR regional offices have been terminated. This leaves millions of students without vital protections against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, LGBTQ+ status, disability, and age. These cuts directly threaten the enforcement of a landmark civil rights law, Title IX.

Title IX was enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Public Law No. 92-318, 86 Stat. 235) to prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools and educational programs. The law explicitly states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Without the DOE, there would be no central enforcement body for Title IX, potentially rendering it obsolete and leaving students vulnerable to unchecked discrimination.

As I prepare to graduate and continue on to law school, I can’t help but think about what these changes could mean for my education and my rights as a student. I can’t help but reflect on the critical role that federal support and protections have played in shaping my education. Continuing education should be an opportunity for all students, regardless of their background, but without the safeguards provided by the Department of Education, that opportunity may not be equally accessible. The future of education in the U.S. hangs in the balance.

With gratitude,

Olivia