Protesters gathered outside the US Department of Education offices in March to oppose mass layoffs and budget cuts initiated by the Trump administration and DOGE. President Donald Trump took steps to dismantle the department with an executive order, aiming to transfer more authority over education to the states. While the agency cannot be completely shut down without congressional approval, nearly half of its staff are set to leave through layoffs and buyouts. The future of the agency’s programs and functions is uncertain, with legal challenges likely. Despite the executive order not affecting federal funding for students with disabilities or low-income schools, it prohibits the advancement of diversity, equity, and gender ideology in programs receiving agency funds. Supporters believe education oversight should return to states and parents, while opponents fear negative impacts on children’s learning. Concerns arise regarding the Department of Education’s closure affecting low-income, rural, and disabled students who heavily rely on its funding and support services. The loss of expertise, data collection, oversight, and accountability could impact student outcomes. Additionally, disabled students’ accommodations and access to education services could be affected, along with funding for schools serving students with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The implications of these changes remain uncertain.
Project 2025, a comprehensive plan proposed by individuals close to former President Trump, aims to restructure the federal government by transferring certain functions to the Department of Health and Human Services. This move is concerning, as the Department may not have the same level of expertise in these programs, stated Mia Ives-Rublee, Senior Director for the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress. She warned that this shift could potentially hinder students with disabilities from accessing necessary services, signaling a significant change in service delivery for this demographic.
There are uncertainties surrounding the management of federal student loans. The Department of Education has been facing challenges in finding an alternative agency to handle its substantial student debt portfolio, which amounts to a staggering $1.8 trillion. About 40% of these loans are reportedly past due. While White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially mentioned that critical functions such as student loans and grants for at-risk students would stay under the Department of Education, President Trump later indicated that these responsibilities would be redistributed to other agencies. This discrepancy poses a dilemma for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who is mandated by law to oversee key functions of the Department, including loan administration and grant provision for schools in high-poverty areas.
Despite these changes, it’s important to note that local school curricula will not be directly impacted by Trump’s executive order. The Department of Education does not have authority over educational content in schools, as established by Congress. The responsibility for curriculum development lies with states and local authorities, so the executive order is not expected to directly influence students’ course content.
Additionally, the Department of Education has announced substantial workforce reductions, aiming to cut almost half of its employees since the start of Trump’s presidency. The Office for Civil Rights, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding students from discrimination and promoting inclusivity, has been significantly impacted by these job cuts. The Office works to address issues such as antisemitism, islamophobia, racism, and discrimination against students with disabilities in educational institutions that receive federal funding.
The Trump administration is closing seven out of the office’s 12 regional offices and letting go of about half of its staff. The future of the office remains uncertain. However, employees at the office have expressed serious worries about their capacity to handle claims efficiently with staff reductions.
One OCR employee, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal, stated, “This will significantly impede our ability to handle the majority of cases for evaluation and investigation.” This information was contributed by CNN’s Jeff Zeleny.
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