On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
According to the DOE website, the department was created to “collect information on schools and teaching that would help the States establish effective school systems.” Among other things, the department is responsible for overseeing educational policy and ensuring equal access to education across the country.
Adequate education is essential, and that is why there is a need for the department. The long-term ramifications of such a decision will be deeply damaging to the educational system and to the future of American society.
Without the DOE, inconsistencies might form in education quality across state lines, and there would be especially reduced support for low-income students and those with disabilities. Every person, regardless of their background or social status, is equally deserving of access to quality education. In dismantling the department, Trump is prioritizing a system that benefits a select few while harming the millions of Americans who rely on the department’s funding.
One of the key functions of the DOE is to oversee and enforce laws such as Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The department is also responsible for enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations. If Trump gets rid of the DOE, those protections could be at risk.
The department also plays a vital role in providing federal funding for K-12 schools and higher education institutions. Specifically, it administers financial aid programs such as Pell Grants and student loans, which make college accessible for millions of students who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 10 million college students receive some sort of federal aid each year. The loss of those funds would lead to decreased access to higher education and, in turn, could decrease college enrollment in general.
Aside from the devastating effects Trump’s order is certain to have, dismantling the DOE is also unconstitutional in nature. It is a direct threat to the foundation of public education. Although Trump is framing his decision as an attempt to return power to local governments and give parents “universal school choice,” the reality is far more dangerous. Eliminating the DOE would jeopardize educational equity, get rid of necessary protections for vulnerable students and undermine the constitutional separation of powers.
The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to create and eliminate federal agencies. The department exists because of a law Congress passed in 1979. That means only Congress can get rid of it. Trump’s executive order goes against everything the U.S. is built on. If he can dismantle an entire government department, then there is nothing stopping him from eliminating other essential agencies that protect things such as public welfare and civil rights.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post's executive editors: Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Cruz, Managing Editor Madalyn Blair and Equity Director McKenna Christy. Post editorials are independent of the publication's news coverage. The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens.com.
