Education is built on the basis of making certain that students have the ability to perform in any given environment. A school does not expect students to remember how to properly find the distance between the radius and center of a circle, but they do expect students to gain the ability to handle difficult problems that require deeper thought. Schools couldn’t care less whether a student remembers the plot of Great Gatsby, but they do hope that reading such works helps students gain the ability to properly articulate thoughts and opinions into both speech and text. School isn’t a large game of trivia, it is a challenge that requires students to take time out of their day to build a work ethic all the while developing the ability to go into the real world with a good head on their shoulders. School is an opportunity for every person in America to grow and learn. The system obviously has flaws, but flaws are to be expected in an ever changing curriculum. As long as the goal of a school is to educate students to ponder critically about the world around them, then the future of America is in great shape. That is, if our very system of education wasn’t at an incredible risk.
For those unaware, America’s education system is mostly run at the state level, meaning most decisions and curriculum is decided based on the interest of the state. To assist in keeping these different agencies of education on a fair and affordable line, America has the Department of Education (DOE).
The Department of Education is a federal agency that became operational in 1980. The Department itself was created with the purpose of establishing a fair and affordable education for all citizens in America. The DOE accomplishes these goals through fairly spreading federal funding and ensuring that all schools comply with federal laws. Specifically speaking, the DOE uses federal funding for scholarships and public education as well as other programs that aim to assist children that may suffer from disadvantageous backgrounds. The DOE also checks to make certain that all schools follow federal laws such as the 14th Amendment, which an excerpt reads “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” (constitution.congress). Theoretically speaking, without the DOE states would be within their right to revoke the ability for specific groups of students to have access to education; as long as no state law exists to counteract that type of decision. Suffice to say, the existence of the DOE assists all levels of education for all citizens, regardless of their financial stability or background. It sure would be a shame if someone was attempting to dissolve it, right?
On a completely unrelated note, the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump, has stated his desire to completely dissolve the DOE. Trump believes the DOE is a waste of federal funding and, like the many other federal agencies, is one that is not necessary in modern America. According to Fiscal Data, (an official government website that tracks federal spending) of all the money paid out by the government in the year 2024, only 3% (roughly $63 Billion) of it fell under the use of the DOE. Not to mention the fact the money that gets moved around in the DOE is spent on scholarships and programs for students to improve and succeed. If Trump had his way and the DOE was dissolved, schools all across America would lose a source of funding, hundreds of scholarships would disappear, and the financial aid program (FAFSA) would be allocated to an entirely different federal agency. (Edvisors)
Another detriment caused by the dissolving of the DOE would be that schools would no longer have to follow IDEA: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA is an act that ensures schools allow educational opportunities for those who unfortunately experience difficulties with what many take for granted. The DOE makes certain that schools follow through with fair and proper education for students with special needs. Without the DOE–unless there is a state law that has similar jurisdiction–schools are entitled to remove these programs entirely.
Of course, the removal of the DOE isn’t all around horrible. Without the DOE, schools can determine what is important to education without the federal government “chiming in” (Cato) Schools can make important decisions at the state level, disregarding anything they feel is irrelevant. A risk exists, however, that those in charge may abuse the lack of proper federal management and bend the education system in whatever view the state decides acceptable. If a state does not possess a law to protect students from discrimination and the DOE does not exist, then a school would theoretically be able to openly discriminate against different groups of students.
In conclusion, the DOE achieves much more than the average American is aware of. They move millions of dollars every year with the purpose of assisting both children and adults who strive for education. They provide protection against unfair treatment when made aware of it. The DOE even assists those less fortunate, creating a possibility of education that never existed in the past. While a modern America without the Department may in fact be able to function, nowhere near as much certainty exists with how the entirety of the country’s education may change; for better, or for worse.
