President Trump is moving forward with plans to shut down the Department of Education. This idea has been discussed by Republicans since 1980 when Ronald Reagan proposed eliminating the newly formed department. Trump’s campaign has revived this long-held conservative viewpoint.
The push against federal involvement in education dates back even further, to post-Civil War America. In 1867, President Andrew Johnson established the first federal Department of Education. However, it was dissolved the following year and didn’t return until 1979 when Jimmy Carter revived it.
The original department aimed to support the education of formerly enslaved people in the South, a concept met with fierce resistance from Southern states. They worried about federal control and objected to educating Black individuals, who represented a significant portion of the Southern population at the time.
The movement for a centralized education department began in the late 1830s. Advocates wanted free public education for all children and believed in a shared curriculum to promote moral and civic values. Henry Barnard, a key figure in this movement, emphasized that schools should prepare children to be responsible citizens.
After the North’s victory in the Civil War, lawmakers believed that better education contributed to their success. They saw the new department as essential for helping achieve true freedom for formerly enslaved individuals. The first bill introduced by Congressman James A. Garfield outlined its purpose as gathering educational statistics to improve school systems.
Unfortunately, resistance began almost immediately. Critics called it too costly and unnecessary. Some voices were more overt in their racism, claiming that the education of Black individuals was a waste of resources.
By 1867, the House tried to abolish the department, but it was downgraded instead, moving to the Department of the Interior. It continued to struggle for relevance, as the Southern states largely ignored calls for equal treatment in education. Over time, separate and unequal schools became the norm, perpetuating racial divides.
The establishment of the current Department of Education in 1979 followed decades of struggle for equitable education access. Carter aimed to integrate educational efforts and enhance accountability. His administration highlighted education as vital for national well-being.
During Reagan’s presidency, the push to dismantle the department resurfaced. Many still held onto this vision, especially with recent movements like Project 2025, which calls for significant cuts in educational programs aimed at supporting low-income and marginalized students. This includes initiatives like Head Start and Title I, which have been crucial in aiding millions of families.
Trump reinforced these ideas in his campaign, criticizing the department and labeling its efforts as influenced by “radical ideologies.” He has also targeted protections for LGBTQ students and sought to shape educational content around his ideology.
On January 29, 2025, Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling efforts to address issues like “white privilege.” This move has been criticized as regressive, emphasizing a return to outdated views on race and education.
As Trump pushes to close the Department of Education, many fear this direction may hinder progress towards educational equity for all students.
Check out this related article: Urgent Alert: Department of Education Mandates Removal of DEI Policies from Public Schools to Avoid Federal Funding Cuts
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