Trump’s Executive Order to Shut Down the Department of Educa

On March 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. This action is in line with his long-standing campaign promise to reduce the federal government’s role in education, shifting control to state and local authorities. The move has sparked widespread concern, especially among liberal education advocates and students who rely on federal funding and protections.

What Is the Department of Education and Why Is It Important?

Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of America’s educational system. It does not set school curriculums but instead oversees national education policy, ensures the enforcement of federal education laws, and distributes financial aid to students and schools.

Some of its key responsibilities include:

Distributing Federal Financial Aid: The department oversees the Federal Student Aid (FSA) program, managing over $1.5 trillion in student loans for over 40 million borrowers which helps millions of students afford higher education through Pell Grants, work-study funding, and student loans. Providing funding for low-income schools through Title I and support services for students with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Civil Rights Enforcement: Enforcing anti-discrimination laws in education, ensuring that schools comply with civil rights laws, protecting students from discrimination based on race, sex, disability, and other factors.
Accreditation Oversight: While the department doesn’t directly accredit colleges, it ensures that federally recognized accrediting agencies maintain standards for institutions to access federal financial aid.
Research and Data Collection: The department conducts research on academic performance and education trends, provides data on the state of education, and funds programs that improve education standards.

With a budget of approximately $268 billion and around 4,400 employees, the Department of Education is one of the smallest federal agencies, yet its influence over education policy is significant.

Why Is Trump Dismantling the Department of Education?

Trump’s executive order is part of his broader strategy to shrink the federal government, a priority he has maintained since his presidential campaign. He has criticized the Department of Education as wasteful and excessively influenced by liberal ideology. According to Trump, the U.S. spends more money on education than any other country, yet American students consistently rank low in global academic comparisons. Trump argues that giving control of education back to the states and local governments would improve educational outcomes. This move aligns with his belief that control over education should rest with state and local governments, rather than the federal bureaucracy.

Trump’s Criticism of the Department of Education:

Wasteful Spending: Trump has consistently criticized the department as being part of a bloated federal bureaucracy, claiming it does not deliver value to American students.
Liberal Ideology: Trump and his allies argue that the Department of Education has been “polluted by liberal ideology” and that local control will lead to more effective education outcomes.
Failed Academic Outcomes: Trump has pointed to America’s lagging academic performance compared to other countries, despite high education spending, as evidence that federal control is ineffective.

What Does Trump’s Executive Order Entail?

Trump’s executive order does not immediately dismantle the department but directs the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to take steps toward reducing its functions. The order outlines a shift of responsibility from the federal government to state and local governments, with the goal of “returning authority over education to the states and local communities.”

Key Points from the Executive Order:

State and Local Control: The order directs the Education Secretary to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return educational authority to state and local governments.
Retaining Core Functions: While the department would be reduced, it would still maintain certain critical responsibilities, such as Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell Grants, and funding for students with disabilities. Federal funding for K-12 schools through Title I and IDEA would be reassigned to different agencies, potentially converted into block grants for states to use as they see fit.
Student Loan Management: The order calls into question the future of federal student loans, suggesting that the Education Department’s role in managing the $1.6 trillion loan portfolio may be reduced or reassigned. The department manages approximately $1.6 trillion in student loan debt for over 40 million borrowers. Trump’s order suggests that the agency lacks the capacity to oversee this portfolio and proposes shifting loan management to another entity.
Civil Rights Enforcement: The Office for Civil Rights, responsible for investigating discrimination cases, may see a shift in focus under Trump’s leadership. He has proposed prioritizing cases of alleged discrimination against conservatives while rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ students.
College Accreditation: Trump has also signaled his intent to reform accreditation standards for colleges, removing “radical left accreditors” and replacing them with organizations that align with conservative values.

The Challenges of Shutting Down the Department of Education

Despite Trump’s executive order, completely dismantling the Department of Education is not a simple task. The agency was created by Congress, and its closure would require legislative approval. While some Republican lawmakers have voiced support for eliminating the department, Democrats and education advocates strongly oppose the move.

Even without congressional approval, the Trump administration has already taken steps to weaken the agency. The department’s workforce is being slashed by nearly 50%, and there have been significant budget cuts to critical divisions, including the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which collects education data.

What Happens If the Department of Education Is Shut Down?

The Department of Education plays a vital role in several key areas, and dismantling it could disrupt these critical services. Below are some of the areas most likely to be affected by the closure of the department:

1. Student Loan Debt and Financial Aid:

The department currently manages over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, which affects more than 40 million borrowers.
The federal student loan portfolio also includes essential programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which Trump has criticized. A shift away from federal oversight could complicate loan forgiveness initiatives.
The department also oversees the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which students use to apply for financial aid. Without federal oversight, the distribution of financial aid could become less efficient and equitable.

2. Funding for K–12 Education:

The Department of Education provides critical funding for K–12 education, especially for schools in low-income areas.
Programs like Title I for disadvantaged students and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) could face significant disruption. These programs fund support services, reduce class sizes, and provide special education services.
The loss of these programs could disproportionately harm students from vulnerable and underserved communities, including those with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and children in rural areas.

3. Civil Rights Enforcement in Education:

The Education Department enforces federal civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in schools, including for racial minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities.
Under Trump’s administration, the department has already shifted focus in civil rights investigations. For example, the Office for Civil Rights has been directed to prioritize certain civil rights cases, including those related to antisemitism and transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Eliminating the department could lead to weaker protections for marginalized groups, especially students of color and those from the LGBTQ+ community.

4. Oversight of Accreditation:

The department doesn’t directly accredit colleges but ensures that accrediting agencies meet federal standards. This is vital for colleges to receive federal funding and ensure the quality of higher education.
If the department were eliminated, institutions may face uncertainty regarding accreditation standards, potentially complicating access to financial aid and reducing the integrity of higher education institutions.

Who Will Be Most Affected?

The decision to reduce the Department of Education’s scope and operations will have widespread implications, particularly for vulnerable groups in the education system. Here’s how various stakeholders will be affected:

Students and Families:

Low-Income and Minority Students: Many students in low-income districts rely on Title I funding and other federal programs for equitable educational opportunities. The loss of these funds could lead to increased educational disparities.
Students with Disabilities: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides essential protections for students with disabilities. Without federal oversight, schools might be less equipped to meet the needs of these students.
College Students: With potential disruptions to federal student aid and loan forgiveness programs, college students could face significant challenges in affording tuition and managing debt.

Teachers and Educators:

Teacher Salaries and Support: The reduction of federal funding could result in less support for teacher salaries, class sizes, and educational programs for students with disabilities.
Teacher Training and Resources: Without federal guidance and funding, schools may lack access to important training and resources that help educators address diverse student needs.

Higher Education Institutions:

Colleges and universities could face uncertainty in maintaining accreditation and accessing federal funding for student financial aid, potentially destabilizing the higher education system.

Civil Rights and Advocacy Groups:

Civil Rights Protections: The loss of federal civil rights enforcement could undermine efforts to protect students from discrimination, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Advocacy groups like the NAACP and the National Education Association (NEA) have already voiced opposition, stating that dismantling the department would harm vulnerable students, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Opposition and Public Reaction

Education advocates, civil rights organizations, and Democratic lawmakers have strongly condemned Trump’s move.

Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, stated that Trump is not just shutting down an agency but “dismantling the basic functions of our democracy.”
National Education Association President Becky Pringle warned that the move could lead to increased class sizes, reduced access to job training programs, and higher education becoming more expensive.
Experts argue that eliminating the department would particularly harm vulnerable students, including those from low-income backgrounds and students with disabilities.

Potential Alternatives: State and Local Control

In place of the federal Department of Education, Trump’s vision includes shifting the responsibility for education to state and local governments. This shift would allow states more freedom to design their education systems, including curriculum, funding, and civil rights protections. However, critics argue that this could lead to a patchwork of policies that further entrench inequality between rich and poor districts, as wealthier states and communities would likely have more resources to invest in education.

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative proposal for Trump’s second term, outlines a future where education functions more at the local level. This includes transferring oversight of programs for children with disabilities and low-income students to the Department of Health and Human Services and eventually converting funding to no-strings-attached grants to states.

What Happens Next?

The closure of the Department of Education, if carried out, will not happen overnight. Legal and political challenges are inevitable. Congress must pass legislation to formally abolish the department, and education advocacy groups will likely mobilize to block this effort in the courts.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle the Department of Education will have lasting implications for the future of education in the United States. Whether these changes will lead to improved outcomes or exacerbate existing inequities remains to be seen.

Trump’s executive order to shut down the Department of Education marks a significant shift in U.S. education policy. While conservatives argue that decentralizing education will empower states and reduce federal overreach, critics warn that it could lead to widespread disruptions, reduced protections for students, and increased inequality in education.

As the debate over federal versus state control of education continues, one thing is clear: the decision to dismantle the Department of Education will have far-reaching consequences for students, teachers, and schools across America.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies