Cierra Lemott 
Since his first presidential term, President-elect Donald Trump has been adamant about dismantling the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. His plan is to send needs relating to education and work in education to the states.
He isn’t the only one working toward this outcome either. There have been other Republicans to support his stance. In fact, there have been Republicans attempting to dismantle the Department of Education since its creation.
The Department of Education has been around since October 1979. According to their “About Us” page, the mission is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages.”
Without the Department of Education, education in this country would look a lot different. Here are some things to expect if Trump was to eliminate the Department of Education:
- Less federal funding for students
According to EverythingPolicy, the federal government gives about 10 percent of K-12 funding, totaling approximately $800 billion as of 2021. The remainder of the funding comes from local as well as state governments. With the dismantling of the Department of Education, that’s a large chunk of needed money that school systems would no longer have access to. Vulnerable students, including those with disabilities, low-income and those living in rural areas according to Vox, would be suffering a loss.
- More expensive student loans from private providers
If the Department of Education was to not exist anymore, federal loans would then be distributed by private loan companies, making them more expensive and taking longer to pay off. This poses a threat to low-income students who need loans to get post-secondary education.
- Less oversight on federal regulations for education
A major purpose of the Department of Education is federal oversight of schools. To operate, certain laws need to be followed. For example, discrimination of any kind is strictly prohibited as it relates to federal laws. Without the Department of Education, the qualifications for something to be deemed as “discrimination” would likely vary by state or even city and school district.
Though it is more than unlikely for Trump to be able to make this happen, it’s something that we should be aware of and pay attention to. If he wants to take away something that ensures equal access to education for everyone, what else will he try to take away?
When the time comes, make sure you’re voting in your local elections to ensure that the elected officials in office are ones you stand behind to do right by the citizens.
By Cierra Lemott, Columbia College Chicago Alum
Instagram: @kodakscamera
X: @LemottCierra
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