Trump Wants to Dismantle the Education Department. Here’s What It Does.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has said he wants his new education chief, Linda McMahon, to “put herself out of a job” and close the Education Department. McMahon was confirmed by the Senate on Monday, and an executive order to shutter the department could come as soon as this week.
The Department’s Key Functions
The Education Department plays a crucial role in the country’s education system, with various responsibilities that benefit students, schools, and the country as a whole. Here’s a breakdown of some of its key functions:
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.
President Joe Biden’s administration made cancellation of student loans a signature effort of the department’s work. Even though Biden’s initial attempt to cancel student loans was overturned by the Supreme Court, the administration forgave over $175 billion for more than 4.8 million borrowers through a range of changes to programs it administers, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
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.
What Would Happen if the Department is Dismantled
If the Education Department is dismantled, its functions would need to be redistributed to another agency. This would likely involve reassigning responsibilities and staff to other departments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, or even the White House.
Conclusion
The Education Department plays a vital role in the country’s education system, and dismantling it would have significant consequences for students, schools, and the country as a whole. While the Trump administration has expressed its desire to reduce the department’s role, it remains to be seen how this would be achieved and what the long-term impact would be on the education system.
FAQs
* What would happen to student loan debt if the Education Department is dismantled?
+ Student loan debt would likely be managed by the Department of the Treasury or another agency.
* How would civil rights enforcement be affected by the dismantling of the Education Department?
+ The Office of Civil Rights would likely be absorbed by another agency, such as the Department of Justice.
* What would happen to college accreditation if the Education Department is dismantled?
+ Accreditation would likely be managed by another agency, such as the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.
* How would money for schools be distributed if the Education Department is dismantled?
+ Money for K-12 schools would likely be distributed through other federal programs, such as the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Labor.
