As the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to implement cuts across the federal government, a public education expert is sounding alarms about the impact such measures will have in the future of U.S. Department of Education, especially as the Trump administration has also expressed willingness to "abolish" the department.
The Department of Education announced that it is cutting $600 million in grants for teacher training programs that it says promote "divisive ideologies."Among the topics the department has deemed divisive are anti-racism, critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), social justice, and white supremacy. Additionally, over $800 million in contracts under the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the department's primary research division, were canceled this month.
In an exclusive interview with the Latin Times, Montserrat Garibay, former assistant deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, noted that the Trump administration cannot legally dismantle the Department of Education—an action the Reagan administration also unsuccessfully attempted. However, the former educator called the ongoing budget cuts and staffing reductions alarming.
Garibay, who was appointed to her former role by the Biden administration, expressed concern over what she described as the increasing politicization of public education funding. "Education should not be a Democrat or Republican issue. It needs to be bipartisan because, at the end of the day, we all want educated students. If we don't invest in them now, we'll pay the price in the future," she said.
During her tenure, Garibay oversaw programs under the Office of English Language Acquisition. Federal workers in her former office serve approximately 5.3 million English-learning students (many of whom are first-generation U.S. citizens). The office relies heavily on grants like the National Professional Development Grant, which supports the recruitment of bilingual and minority educators.
"Unfortunately, the new leadership categorizes these essential subsidies as DEI," Garibay lamented. "I earned my master's degree through these programs, which have over 25 years of history in addressing bilingual teacher shortages."
She noted widespread misconceptions about the Department of Education's role, clarifying that while the department does not control curriculum or teacher certification (which are state responsibilities), it provides crucial funding for supporting students with special needs, English learners, and those from low-income backgrounds.
New Leadership Without Education Background
Garibay also expressed concern about the appointment of Linda McMahon as the new Secretary of Education. Known primarily for her role as the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), McMahon's appointment left Garibay questioning her ability to oversee national education policy.
"It was evident that she had no clue how the Department of Education works," Garibay remarked, in reference to her Senate confirmation hearing.
Garibay contrasted McMahon's inexperience with former Secretary Miguel Cardona's qualifications. "Secretary Cardona was an educator, an English learner himself. He brought in so many people with educational backgrounds, including myself. Seeing someone with no experience take over is heartbreaking."
Federal Funding in Low-Income Communities
Garibay underscored the vital role public schools play in low-income communities, particularly rural communities, where they often serve as primary employers. "There are 9.8 million students in rural schools, and they need support," she said.
The former educator highlighted growing concerns over cuts to after-school and lunch programs that serve low-income and special-needs students. "After-school programs are vital because many parents work two or three jobs," she said, noting these programs are often accompanied by educational enrichment opportunities. "Teachers can teach, but students can't learn on empty stomachs," she added.
Garibay also criticized the push for school privatization, warning that rural communities would suffer the most. "Public schools in small towns are the heart of the community—employing parents, aunts, and uncles as teachers, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Privatizing schools would strip essential services like special education and transportation, which charter schools often don't provide," she explained.
Historical Precedents
When asked about historical parallels, Garibay noted previous Republican-led reforms, including efforts under the Reagan administration to dismantle the Department of Education. However, she acknowledged that some reforms, like President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, sparked critical discussions about improving student resources, even if controversial.
"Students are our future. If we don't invest in them now, we'll pay the price later. We need to focus on improving education, not dismantling the department," Garibay concluded.
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