On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order with the goal of dismantling the Department of Education. The chances of reaching this goal are slim, as it would require an approval from Congress; this seems unlikely, as many members oppose the idea. The order will take every possible action to assist in the shutting down of the Department of Education and give control over education to local and state governments, as much as the law permits.
Formed in 1979, the Department of Education manages public school funding, handles student loan programs and supports initiatives for low-income students. It also shapes education policy, and promotes equal educational opportunities for all students. Efforts at getting rid of the department raises concerns that some students will not be presented with the same rights as students in other states.
Previously, the department planned on cutting about half of its workforce, affecting 2,100 employees. Many individuals depend on the department for various reasons, one being the federal funding that it offers. Without this funding, a handful of students will face increased difficulty accessing educational resources.
For many years, Trump and other Republicans have discussed the act of taking down the department. They believe that it wastes money and that decisions should be made at the state or local level rather than by the federal government. This potential action by the president is consistent with what he and the Department of Government Efficiency have been doing since he took office, which is focusing on reducing spending and making government operations more efficient.
If the abolishment passes, several possibilities should be analyzed. One of these potential issues is the impact it would have on teachers. Without federal oversight, they may face inequities in salaries and classroom standards depending on their state. Additionally, students that have learning disabilities could face reduced availability of specialized accommodations. These are just some of the consequences that could come with the elimination of the Department of Education, leaving an impact on many individuals across the country.
