The Trump Administration’s Push to Dismantle the Education Department
The Trump administration has taken significant steps to dismantle the Department of Education, raising concerns among advocates about the future of equal access to education in the United States. As part of this effort, the administration has proposed transferring key responsibilities of the department to other federal agencies. For instance, civil rights enforcement could be handed over to the Justice Department, while student loans might fall under the purview of the Treasury or Commerce Department. Oversight of student disability rights could shift to the Health and Human Services Department. However, there is growing uncertainty about what will happen to the department’s broader mission of promoting equal access to education in a system that is inherently unequal.
The Department of Education has already seen its workforce cut in half, with 1,300 layoffs announced in early 2024. President Donald Trump has long advocated for the elimination of the department, describing it as wasteful and overtly ideological. Without the department, advocates fear that the federal government will no longer serve as a strong advocate for marginalized student groups, including low-income students, English learners, students with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities. As Weadé James, senior director of K-12 education policy for the Center for American Progress, notes, "Gutting the agency that is charged to ensure equal access to education for every child is only going to create an underclass of students."
The Historical Mission of the Education Department
The Department of Education was established in 1980, with its mission rooted in the anti-poverty and civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The legislation creating the department emphasized its role in strengthening the federal commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all individuals. Over the years, the department has played a crucial role in advancing equity in education, particularly through its enforcement of civil rights laws and its support for disadvantaged students. However, the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the department have left many wondering whether this mission will continue.
Michael Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education think tank, has expressed skepticism about the potential impact of significantly reducing the department’s role. He doubts that such changes will have a noticeable effect on the real world, pointing to persistent challenges in education, such as lagging test scores and widening achievement gaps. According to the latest national tests, one-third of eighth-grade students lack fundamental reading skills, and the gap between high-performing and low-performing students continues to grow. These statistics have been cited by Trump allies, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon, as justification for dismantling the department and shifting its funding directly to states.
The Role of the Education Department in Promoting Equity
Despite its imperfections, the Department of Education has served as a vital advocate for educational equity. Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president of EdTrust, a think tank dedicated to promoting educational equity, describes the department as a "north star" for schools. He emphasizes its role in establishing guardrails, investments, and protections that support equal outcomes for students. The department’s efforts have been particularly critical for students in low-income communities, English learners, and students with disabilities, who often require additional resources to succeed in school.
However, the Trump administration’s push to return control of schools to states has raised concerns about the future of federal funding for education. Programs like Title I, which provides financial support to schools in high-poverty areas, are at risk of being reshaped or eliminated. Educating disadvantaged students often requires additional resources, such as specialized teaching or smaller class sizes, which districts with limited tax bases struggle to provide. Without federal oversight, there is a fear that states will use these funds in ways that exacerbate inequality. For example, block grants could allow politicians to redirect money away from schools, effectively defunding public education, according to Del Pilar.
The Impact on Civil Rights Enforcement and Student Advocacy
The Department of Education has also played a critical role in enforcing civil rights in schools. Its Office for Civil Rights has historically defended the rights of students with disabilities and those facing racial harassment. However, under the Trump administration, the agency has shifted its focus to addressing allegations of antisemitism, a move that has drawn both support and criticism. Some advocates have expressed concerns about the office’s reduced responsiveness and effectiveness, particularly for marginalized students. A. Kelly Neal, a special education attorney in Macon, Georgia, notes that the Office for Civil Rights has become increasingly slow and unresponsive, leading some parents to abandon pursuing complaints altogether. Neal has suggested that the Justice Department could take on enforcement responsibilities, though this remains uncertain.
In addition to these changes, the Trump administration has taken steps to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. For example, it recently ended the contract for the Equity Assistance Center-South, a program that provided technical assistance to Southern school districts operating under federal desegregation orders. The Southern Education Foundation has appealed this decision, arguing that it abdicates the government’s responsibility to help schools address educational inequities. Raymond Pierce, the foundation’s president and CEO, has warned that such actions undermine the government’s role in ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
The Potential Consequences for Historically Disadvantaged Students
The dismantling of the Department of Education could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for historically disadvantaged students. Students in states like Mississippi, South Dakota, Arkansas, Montana, and Alaska, which rely heavily on federal education funding, could be disproportionately affected. During the 2021-2022 school year, these states relied on federal aid for at least 20% of their school funding. Without federal oversight, there is a risk that these funds will be misused or redirected, leaving vulnerable students without the resources they need to succeed.
The loss of the Department of Education’s advocacy and oversight could also have a chilling effect on efforts to address systemic inequities in education. Without a federal agency dedicated to promoting equal access, the responsibility for ensuring equity will fall squarely on states and local districts, many of which lack the resources or political will to take on this challenge. As the Trump administration continues its efforts to dismantle the department, advocates are sounding the alarm about the potential consequences for students who have long been marginalized by the education system.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education raises significant concerns about the future of educational equity in the United States. While the department has its flaws, it has played a critical role in advocating for marginalized students and ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to succeed. Without the department, the federal government risks abandoning its commitment to equal educational opportunities, leaving behind a generation of students who are already struggling to overcome systemic barriers. As the administration moves forward with its plans, it is imperative that policymakers, educators, and advocates work together to ensure that the mission of the Department of Education is not lost in the process.
