From the end of his presidency and throughout his campaign, President Elect Donald Trump has rallied his ideas for federal institutions, including a plan to dismantle the Department of Education. In a video statement published by Trump, he states, “One of the things I will be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington D.C. and sending all education work and needs back to the states.” The Crusader staff recognizes the importance of the Department of Education and urges Congress to uphold it, as it provides federal protections to schools like BVH. Crucial Title 1 funding and protections for the Special Education Department are federally mandated through the Department of Education, and without them the state of education nationally is at risk of crumbling.
According to Can Trump Really Dismantle the Department of Education?, given as the Department is a federal institution, an attempt to axe it down would require approval from Congress, making a “Day One” promise unattainable. The unfortunate aftermath of ridding the US of the Department, similar to recent decisions of the same nature, would be prolonged for a few years but ultimately hold the same weight in the long run.
The Crusader receives necessary funding for camera equipment through Title 1, and journalism is not the only faction of education benefitted. Title 1 funding specifically aims to help disadvantaged students and schools achieve high academic achievement, doing so by providing resources and equipment for departments such as journalism, English and science.
According to How Many Schools Are in the U.S.? | MDR Education, there are roughly 50,000 Title 1 Eligible schools nationwide, with California having the most out of any state. Despite California having numerous Title 1 Eligible schools, the issue at hand is larger than one state. When Roe v. Wade was overturned using the same process–being sent back to the states–we saw sharp, negative impacts in roughly twenty states. A federal protection turned into something that only some states implemented after its fall. The same outcome is to be expected in this situation, and according to Newsweek, Republicans Push to Eliminate Department of Education With New Bill, reporter Martha McHardy states senators like those in South Dakota are already pushing for such change.
One of the most detrimental effects of dismantling the Department of Education would be the loss of federal protections for Special Education Departments across the country. According to What Happens if the Education Department Is Dissolved? | U.S. News, individual school districts would have control over how they use their budget to impact special needs students. 501s and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)–programs that allow for more accessibility in education for those with a physical or learning impairment–would have no federal oversight, meaning the support that has been protected for half a century would not be nationally ensured.
Ultimately, the Department of Education provides resources to every section of education, critically improving opportunities for disadvantaged, underrepresented and disabled students. Given as The Crusader staff stands with equal opportunity for all, we stand with the Department of Education.
