The U.S. Department of Education could potentially be reduced to just a large building with empty offices, as President Trump’s administration has proposed closing the department and shifting education responsibilities back to the states. Despite appointing a secretary of education, Linda McMahon, to lead the agency, Trump has vowed to eliminate it. The plan includes supporting universal school choice, reversing certain school practices, and ending programs related to Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
However, eliminating the $80 billion department would require Congressional approval, as only Congress can dissolve the agency. Neal McCluskey of the Cato Institute believes there may not be enough support in Congress to make this happen, as 60 out of 100 members would need to agree.
McCluskey suggests that some functions of the Department of Education could be transferred to other federal agencies, such as moving financial aid programs to the Treasury and civil rights functions to the Department of Justice. He also proposes that state education departments could handle federally funded programs, potentially saving millions of dollars.
Legislation to abolish the Department of Education has been introduced in Congress, but has not yet passed. Some lawmakers argue that local control is best for education, and support returning decision-making power to the state and local levels.
It remains to be seen whether Congress will support downsizing the Department of Education in the upcoming legislative session. Some lawmakers have criticized the department’s budget increases and called for its elimination, while others have proposed legislation to end programs that institutionalize discrimination. The upcoming ACE panel discussion highlighted the growing pressure from voters for education reform, with a focus on downsizing the Department of Education and giving it a smaller role. According to one panelist, complaints about education often lead back to the Department of Education, suggesting a need for change.
Leaders at ACE echoed sentiments from the Cato Institute, indicating that President Trump may use his executive authority to remove DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and CRT (Critical Race Theory) from federally funded programs. This move could involve shifting major components away from the Department of Education, resulting in a smaller department overall.
Spreitzer, a panelist, mentioned that Trump had previously implemented similar changes with federal contractors without facing legal challenges. This suggests that he could easily expand these policies once he takes office. The tie to federal funding could be a significant leverage point for implementing new requirements.
The discussion also touched on the potential impact of these changes on teachers. Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, expressed mixed reactions to Trump’s election and the appointment of Linda McMahon. While open to exploring new approaches to education, there are concerns about the future of federal funding for children in need, children with disabilities, and first-generation college students if the Department of Education is downsized.
Overall, the panel discussion highlighted the shifting landscape of education reform under the upcoming administration. The implications of downsizing the Department of Education and reallocating its responsibilities could have far-reaching effects on students, teachers, and the education system as a whole.
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