Trump Administration Considers Department of Education Overhaul
Former US President Donald Trump is anticipated to issue an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a longstanding objective for conservatives.
Since the Republican’s return to the White House, the department has already announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately half.
However, completely abolishing the agency legislatively would necessitate congressional approval.
Established in 1979, the department is responsible for overseeing funding for public schools, managing student loan programs, and administering initiatives that support students from low-income backgrounds.
Trump and his allies have previously accused the department of indoctrinating students with biased racial, sexual, and political ideologies.
Department of Education: Core Functions
A widespread misconception is that the Department of Education directly manages US schools and dictates curricula. In reality, these responsibilities are delegated to state and local districts.
The agency’s purview includes the oversight of student loan programs and the administration of Pell Grants, which assist students with limited financial resources in affording higher education.
It also provides financial support for programs designed to aid students with disabilities and those from impoverished communities.
Furthermore, the department enforces civil rights legislation to prevent discrimination based on race or sex within federally funded educational institutions.
Budget and Staffing of the Education Department
For fiscal year 2024, the department’s budget allocation was $238 billion, representing less than 2% of the total federal budget.
The agency employs approximately 4,400 individuals, making it the smallest cabinet-level department.
The majority of public funding for US schools originates from state and local government sources.
In 2024, the Education Data Initiative estimated total US spending on primary and secondary education at just over $857 billion, equating to $17,280 per student.
Congressional Hurdles to Department Closure
Unilaterally, the President cannot shut down the Department of Education.
Eliminating the department requires congressional consent, potentially necessitating a supermajority of 60 votes in the US Senate.
With a 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate, securing the support of at least seven Democrats to abolish the agency is considered a politically challenging endeavor.
Gaining sufficient support in the House of Representatives may also prove difficult for the Trump administration.
A previous House vote on an amendment to eliminate the department failed, with 60 Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.
Despite legal ambiguities, the Trump administration has recently taken steps to reduce the size of other government departments.
A draft executive order to dismantle the Education Department, reportedly obtained by the Washington Post, acknowledged the necessity of congressional action for outright elimination but suggested executive measures to initiate the agency’s gradual shutdown.
Department of Education personnel are among those targeted by the administration’s broader efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
Future of Student Loan Programs
The Department of Education manages a substantial student loan portfolio, which Trump has indicated could be transferred to a different federal agency.
“I don’t think the Education Department should be managing the loans,” Trump stated. “That is not their function.”
Experts suggest the loan portfolio, encompassing over $1.5 trillion in loans held by more than 40 million Americans, might be shifted to the US Department of the Treasury.
A White House document indicated the executive order would instruct the education secretary to ensure the “continuous delivery of essential services, programs, and benefits for Americans.”
Regardless of any departmental changes, borrowers will remain obligated to repay their student loans.
Legal challenges and Trump administration policies have reversed certain modifications implemented by former President Joe Biden to decrease borrowing costs and forgive some student debt.
Republican Rationale for Abolishing the Department
The concept of eliminating the Department of Education has been a recurring theme among Republicans since the agency’s inception.
Ronald Reagan advocated for its dismantling during his 1980 presidential campaign.
Historically, Republicans have opposed centralized federal control over education policy, advocating for greater autonomy for states and local municipalities.
More recently, they have accused the Department of Education of promoting what they deem “woke” political ideologies related to gender and race in schools.
Trump’s allies also seek to expand school choice initiatives, enabling students and families to utilize public funds for private or religious school options as alternatives to public education.
Conservatives contend that functions currently performed by the Education Department, such as addressing civil rights infringements, should be handled by other existing agencies like the Department of Justice.