Federal Education Department: A Key Role in American Education
Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump heaped scorn on the federal Department of Education, describing it as being infiltrated by “radicals, zealots and Marxists.” He has picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, to lead the department. But like many conservative politicians before him, Trump has called for dismantling the department altogether — a cumbersome task that likely would require action from Congress.
Key Functions of the Department
The agency’s main role is financial. Annually, it distributes billions in federal money to colleges and schools and manages the federal student loan portfolio. Closing the department would mean redistributing each of those duties to another agency. The Education Department also plays an important regulatory role in services for students, ranging from those with disabilities to low-income and homeless kids.
Student Loans and Financial Aid
The Education Department manages approximately $1.5 trillion in student loan debt for over 40 million borrowers. It also oversees the Pell Grant, which provides aid to students below a certain income threshold, and administers the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which universities use to allocate financial aid.
Civil Rights Enforcement
Through its Office for Civil Rights, the Education Department conducts investigations and issues guidance on how civil rights laws should be applied, such as for LGBTQ+ students and students of color. The office also oversees a large data collection project that tracks disparities in resources, course access, and discipline for students of different racial and socioeconomic groups.
College Accreditation
While the Education Department does not directly accredit colleges and universities, it oversees the system by reviewing all federally recognized accrediting agencies. Institutions of higher education must be accredited to gain access to federal money for student financial aid.
Money for Schools
Much of the Education Department’s money for K-12 schools goes through large federal programs, such as Title I for low-income schools and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Those programs support services for students with disabilities, lower class sizes with additional teaching positions, and pay for social workers and other non-teaching roles in schools.
Conclusion
The federal Department of Education plays a crucial role in American education, managing student loans, enforcing civil rights, and providing funding for schools. While President-elect Trump has called for dismantling the department, it is unclear how he would approach these key functions. Any changes to the department would likely require action from Congress and would have significant implications for students, schools, and the education system as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the role of the federal Department of Education?
A: The Department of Education manages student loans, enforces civil rights, and provides funding for schools.
Q: Why has President-elect Trump called for dismantling the Department of Education?
A: Trump has described the department as being infiltrated by "radicals, zealots and Marxists" and has called for shifting its functions to the states.
Q: What would happen to student loans if the Department of Education were dismantled?
A: It is unclear how student loans would be managed if the department were dismantled, but it is likely that the responsibility would be redistributed to another agency.
Q: How would the department’s civil rights enforcement role change under President-elect Trump?
A: Trump has suggested a different interpretation of the office’s civil rights role, saying he would pursue civil rights cases to "stop schools from discriminating on the basis of race."
