“I say it all the time, I’m dying to get back to do this. We will ultimately eliminate the federal Department of Education,” President Trump declared at a rally in September 2024, claiming that the Department of Education (DOE) exerts federal overreach and undermines state control.
The necessity and impact of the DOE has been a subject of heated debate for years. Supporters argue that it ensures standardized education and equal treatment of students, while critics reiterate that the federal government uses a “one size fits all” method, which has repeatedly proven to be ineffective and costly. Just this month, the administration doubled down on its objective, cutting the workforce and dissolving some of its vital functions. However, efforts to dismantle the DOE will ultimately lead to exacerbated student debt, underfunded schools and increased polarization. For the well-being of all students, it is essential that the DOE survives, but not in its current form.
One of the primary benefits of the DOE is to ensure that all students receive equal access to quality education, regardless of economic background or identity. It enforces several acts imposed by The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), that prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, disability, wealth or age. Without federal oversight, state governments would be unable to effectively implement these crucial protections, leaving an absence that would result in disparities between students that live in wealthier areas versus those in disadvantaged communities. “According to the Department itself, they try to target areas of need as a kind of “emergency response system,” a means of filling gaps in State and local support for education when critical national needs arise,” AP Government and Politics teacher William Vicari said. “Taking this away could very well have a more adverse impact on low-income schools and their students.”
With restricted resources, fewer students will be able to afford college. The DOE is highly regarded for its investments in Pell Grants, the provision of federal student loans and support for education-related tax credits. It also manages the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program, which allows students in need to apply for financial aid. The DOE acknowledges that it “awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds and low-interest loans to approximately 13 million students.” Eliminating the DOE will make affording college less attainable for low-income students, along with a significant decrease in graduation rates.
However, the DOE is not entirely faultless, as courts have concluded that it has exceeded its authority several times. Under the Biden administration in 2024, for example, the DOE attempted to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students. Multiple states objected, contending that changing the current regulations meant the federal government was overstepping its bounds. A federal district court in Kentucky eventually struck down the DOE’s initiative and ultimately blocked it nationwide.
Clearly, the DOE is not perfect. But instead of weighing minor mistakes as deciding factors and overlooking its many benefits, the DOE should be reformed, not abolished. “I believe the department should continue evolving with society, as we must have a uniform level of education across the country to ensure no one is left behind lacking in their right to education,” sophomore Giacomo Galdzicki said. One way to reform the DOE would be to increase transparency in its policies and allow states more flexibility, while continuing to adhere to federal guidelines for standardization. While states can provide more targeted solutions in local areas, federal oversight is crucial to ensure that all students maintain a balanced, quality education. The Department of Education should therefore be mended, not ended.
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