President-elect Donald Trump has made a pledge to abolish the Department of Education, citing it as a symbol of federal overreach into American families' lives. The agency, established in 1979 by then-President Jimmy Carter, oversees federal funding for K-12 schools and manages student loan and financial aid programs.
The Department of Education administers key programs like Title I and IDEA, providing support to low-income students and those with disabilities. It distributes approximately $28 billion annually to K-12 schools and $30 billion to college students through the Pell grant program.
In addition to funding, the department plays a crucial oversight role, investigating discrimination complaints and engaging in federal rulemaking. Recent regulations have touched on issues like transgender student protections and student loan forgiveness.
While Trump's administration rescinded some Obama-era guidance, states and local school boards retain significant power in education decisions. Federal funding for schools comes with conditions and reporting requirements, ensuring accountability.
Despite Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education, past attempts to cut its budget have been met with resistance from Congress. The likelihood of Congress approving a full agency shutdown remains uncertain, as such a move would require legislative action.
While calls to abolish the Department of Education are not new, the path to achieving this goal is complex. Even if Republicans gain unified control in Washington, the fate of the agency's future rests on the support it garners in Congress.
