President Trump is taking steps to fulfill his promise to shrink the U.S. Department of Education. This move raises concerns about federal education programs and funding.
He has selected Linda McMahon to lead the department. Her task is to cut back on its functions, which include shaping federal education policies and ensuring students have equal access to education.
Trump expressed his belief in the importance of school choice, stating, “I want the states to run schools, and I want Linda to put herself out of a job.”
For the 2025 fiscal year, the Department of Education has a budget of $103 billion, with nearly $69 billion allocated to Federal Student Aid. This aid helps students afford college and vocational training.
Joi Spencer, dean of the School of Education at UC Riverside, highlighted the challenges that would arise if the department were eliminated. She noted that the management of financial aid could become unclear without the department’s oversight.
“If you don’t have the U.S. Department of Education, then there would be questions about how that financial aid would be taken care of,” Spencer explained. Programs like Head Start, which helps young children, could also be affected.
Spencer emphasized the importance of the department in researching and gathering education data across the country. “Having a Department of Education is vital. It should hire dedicated professionals who understand our education challenges,” she said.
In addition to funding and data, the department plays a key role in enforcing anti-discrimination laws in schools. California Attorney General Rob Bonta assured that his office would uphold these protections if the federal government fails to do so.
“The California Constitution offers strong protections against discrimination, including for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals,” said Bonta.
His office is also providing guidance on inclusive education and immigration policies, emphasizing that all students deserve an education in California, regardless of their immigration status or their family’s situation.
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