Top States Dependent on Federal School Funding: What Happens If the Department of Education Faces Cuts?

President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. During the signing ceremony, he stated, “We’re going to eliminate it, and everybody knows it’s right.” He expressed concerns about the state of education in the U.S. and argued that control should shift back to the states.

The Department of Education plays a limited role in education policy compared to many federal agencies. Most educational policies are set at local and state levels, and the federal government contributes about 14% of the total funding for K-12 education, which amounts to approximately $857 billion nationwide, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Despite the executive order, actual changes may take time. Trump does not have the authority to eliminate the department without Congressional approval. He has, however, begun redistributing some educational responsibilities to other entities. This uncertainty raises questions about the future of federal funding for education. Education Secretary Linda McMahon attempted to reassure the public, stating there wouldn’t be any cuts to programs impacting students. However, without legislation to solidify her claims, the sustainability of federal funding remains uncertain, especially in light of budget cuts from Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency.

The effect of federal funding varies significantly across states. Some states heavily rely on these funds. For example, Mississippi receives about $3,000 per student from the federal government, which is nearly a quarter of its education budget. In contrast, states in the Northeast depend less on federal funds, receiving less than 10% of their education budgets from the federal government.

In 2023, key funding programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) allocated significant resources to support low-income students and those with disabilities. Title I provided $18 billion, while IDEA accounted for nearly $14 billion. If these programs were cut, many vulnerable students might lose crucial support. McMahon affirmed that these programs would remain intact, but Project 2025 outlines plans to phase out Title I and suggests transforming IDEA into a less restrictive block grant.

The landscape of education in America is changing. As debates about federal funding and the role of the Department of Education continue, the impact on schools, students, and communities remains a priority for many.

For more detailed statistics on education funding, you can visit the Education Data Initiative here.

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Education Department, President Trump, education funding, The federal government, Education, public education