Trump vs The Department of Education
Awa Bobb | 26 April 2025
Summary
United States (US) President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education requires Congress approval, but layoffs and funding cuts have already begun.
Shifting control from the federal to the state level for education planning could widen funding gaps, undermining the growth of rural, low-income and minority students.
The move may permanently reduce federal oversight, changing how education is governed nationwide.
Trump has renewed efforts to dismantle the US Department of Education (DoE), a long-standing goal of conservatives dating back to Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s. This initiative stems from a desire to return power to states and local communities, aligning with Trump’s broader agenda to reduce federal involvement in local affairs and shrink the federal government and expenditure. The DoE’s dismantling requires congressional authorisation, which can be expected to pass with the Republicans’ control of Congress. Trump justifies this move by arguing that the federal government has had minimal impact on improving the education system despite spending over USD 10m per annum. He claims the DoE indoctrinated youths and promoted a "woke" narrative.
The DoE oversees public school funding, administers student loans, and supports programs for low-income and disabled students, while also enforcing civil rights laws to prevent discrimination. The Trump administration claims it will continue to support these groups, stating that the DoE’s closure would not end their support. Essential programs for K-12 students, special needs students, and college borrowers will also continue.
Minority students will likely be disproportionately harmed by dismantling DoE, which has historically attempted to support equity through funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), civil rights enforcement, and targeted programs. Without federal oversight, states may not continue these efforts, risking further inequality. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration to freeze USD 65m in DEI-related teacher training grants. Although Congress approved the funds, the administration claimed the grants supported discriminatory practices. This would impact HBCUs, tribal colleges, and institutions serving disadvantaged students. Rolling back DEI initiatives may reduce culturally responsive teaching, student support, and representation, reinforcing existing barriers for minority and disadvantaged students.
Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education still requires congressional approval. If that fails, there is a realistic possibility that the Trump administration will cut funding to bypass the legal barrier. Shifting control of education funds to the states could create wide disparities, especially in under-resourced rural areas. Without federal oversight, students may face outdated materials, fewer programs, and deteriorating facilities. This would likely deepen the existing urban-rural education gap. Rural school districts face ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining qualified teachers due to low pay and limited resources. Federal programs that provide incentives and support have helped ease this burden. Without them, shortages could worsen, leading to larger classes, fewer course options, and declining education quality. Millions of rural students could be directly impacted by cuts to federal programs.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides vital funding to schools serving low-income families. In the 2021–22 school year, approximately 63% of traditional public schools and 62% of public charter schools were eligible for Title I funding, yet only 42% of traditional schools and 50% of charters implemented schoolwide programs. Although Title I received billions in federal funding in 2021 and 2022, proposed cuts would disproportionately impact low-income communities, stripping away essential services like after-school programs, reading support, and technology access, further deepening educational and racial inequalities.
ajay_suresh/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Forecast
Short-term (Now - 3 months)
An increase in layoffs and voluntary buyouts within the DoE is likely, with a realistic possibility of disrupting operations and services.
Judiciary pushback and reviews to pushback Trump’s plan to shut down DoE are almost certain, especially given the Department’s wide-reaching responsibilities and the complexity of dismantling a federal agency.
Medium-term (3-12 months)
Federal funding for educational programs, particularly those targeting disadvantaged students, will highly likely be reduced. Without adequate funding, many support systems may be weakened or lost.
Programme disruptions are likely as funding becomes uncertain and political debate over the Department’s future continues. Many rural and low-income-focused initiatives may be paused or shut down altogether.
Disparities between well-funded and underfunded states are highly likely to grow, deepening the divide between low-income and rural students and their better-resourced peers.
Long-term (>1 year)
If Congress approves the plan or federal funding is significantly reduced, it is almost certain that the DoE’s core functions will be eliminated or transferred to state-level agencies, fundamentally altering the structure of national education oversight.
Disadvantaged students will likely face reduced access to critical support services and protections. Over time, these losses are likely to reinforce existing systemic barriers and widen educational achievement gaps.
