On March 20th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Federal Department of Education after taking previous action to lay off over one thousand employees. Trump claims that the Department of Education has failed. Federal test scores have reached an all-time low. 70% of 8th grade students scored below proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and 33% scored below basic.  This lack of student achievement has continued since the COVID-19 Pandemic, when national education was impacted by the closure of schools. Yet this evidence is enough that the Department of Education is not serving our country. While approval from Congress is necessary to shut down the program, what would the impact on our nation’s students be? 

The majority of decisions made about education happen on State or local levels but the Federal Department of Education plays a few crucial roles. The department was founded to manage information about schools to better the education system, and it continues to ensure all students access to equal, high-quality education. The department provides grants and programs that benefit students in lower income districts, as well as increase access to higher education. One of the key branches of the Department of Education is the Office of Civil Rights which prevents discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, age, or disability. Laws enforced by this office ensure students with disabilities have free access to an educational institution suited to their needs, as well as inclusion on field trips and other extracurricular activities. 

Impeding the function of the Department of Education greatly destabilizes public schools who rely on resources from the Department. 84% of children in the United States attend a public school, including 95% of students with disabilities. With the dissolution of the Department of Education, protection of student’s civil rights will be minimized, schools would receive less funding, and access to special education programs would be minimized. Class sizes would become larger due to staffing issues and a lack of resources and funding to put towards smaller classes where students would get more individualized attention. Students with disabilities might no longer be guaranteed an education suitable for their needs. Programs for guidance and mental health counseling could be inadequately funded. The Federal Department of Education ensures students have access to crucial services. Without this support, fewer students would have access to the education and support they need to become active members of their society.