In Washington, D.C., there’s buzz about a possible executive order from the White House aimed at getting rid of the Department of Education. This conversation is heating up as President Donald Trump, during his 2024 campaign, often spoke about dismantling this department. He wanted to shift control of education back to the states.
The Department of Education plays an important role in the U.S. education system. Its main goal is to enhance educational outcomes for all students, covering everything from preschool to postdoctoral studies. Established by Congress in 1980, the department is now a key part of the federal government. Eliminating it would require action from Congress.
For the fiscal year 2025, the Department of Education’s budget stands at $103 billion, making up about 1% of the overall federal budget. Interestingly, this figure is the lowest it has been in five years. It rose to over $637 billion in 2022, reflecting the complexities and fluctuating needs of the education system.
The budget supports ten different areas, with the bulk allocated to federal student aid, which receives more than $68 billion this year. Programs for elementary and secondary education get around $15 billion, while special education and rehabilitative services receive nearly $13 billion. Additionally, postsecondary education is funded with about $2.5 billion, and disaster education recovery gets a little over $1 billion.
The Department of Education serves a significant number of students. It provides educational resources to over 50 million students in approximately 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools. Furthermore, it supports more than 12 million postsecondary students through grants, loans, and work-study programs.
