The flurry of executive orders from the White House continued this week along with news of an order being drafted to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Although the White House doesn’t have authority to dismantle the ED outright, it could take steps to roll back/freeze current initiatives and enforcement efforts while disrupting/firing employees who are responsible for carrying out essential functions.
The White House is also likely to pressure Congress to shift ED responsibilities to other agencies. While these efforts have failed in the past, the new administration seems determined to pressure lawmakers to do its bidding.
It is worth noting that one of the primary purposes of creating the U.S. Department of Education in 1980 was increased efficiency. Previously, educational functions of the Office of Education were located in various departments such as the Department of Interior, and U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare which resulted in “duplicative burdens and constraints.”
Most of the money for education in North Carolina comes from state and local funds, but a significant amount comes from the federal government, especially for low-income schools. These funds provide critical services for our state’s neediest children.
In 2023-24, 17% of funds for North Carolina education came from the federal government while 60% came from the state and 23% came from local coffers. Low-income districts receive a higher percentage from the federal government. For example, Weldon City Schools, a Title 1 district, relied on the federal government for 28% of its funds.
The role of the U.S. Department of Education falls into a few main categories; most of its work is established by federal law, so change will require action by Congress.
Ensuring equal access to education and preventing discrimination. Title 1 funding provides billions to state and local school systems, especially to low-income districts. Title 1 funding is required by The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. This law also provides funding for other underserved communities, including English language learners, students with disabilities, and students in rural communities.
The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)—based on a law that dates back to 1975—supports states and communities in protecting the rights of students with disabilities and meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
The ED also enforces civil rights laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin and Title IX, which prevents discrimination in federally funded education on the basis of sex..
Establishing policies on federal financial aid for college, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds. The federal government administers several grant programs (e.g., Pell Grants) for low-income students, and it manages the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required for students to get access to college financial aid. The ED also manages the federal student portfolio of approximately $1.6 trillion in student debt.
Collecting data on America’s schools and disseminating research. The most widely known data collection program is the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which has been monitoring student achievement since 1969. But NAEP is just one of many roles of the National Center for Education Statistics, which was established in 1987 to collect and analyze data about education in the U.S.
All of these functions are vital in ensuring that educators, families, and students across the nation have access to the information and resources they need to ensure that every child, regardless of ability or geography, has access to a quality public education.