Trump moves to dismantle US education department: 6 ways America’s students will be affected

The Trump administration is once again rewriting the rules—this time, with a seismic shake-up in education policy. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump is pushing to dismantle the U.S. Education Department altogether. Reports suggest that dozens of employees have already been placed on unexplained paid leave, fueling speculation of a drastic overhaul.
This isn't simply bureaucratic restructuring—it's a shift that could reshape America's educational priorities. What's at risk? Billions in funding, civil rights protections, and financial aid for millions of students. Supporters argue it's a victory for local control, while critics caution it could devastate underprivileged communities.
Trump's camp claims that gutting the Department of Education could breathe a new life into an education system that is currently floundering- especially in tech hubs like Silicon Valley. But is this a reformist move or a reckless gamble with high stakes? Here's what happens if the Education Department ceases to exist.
One of the far-reaching and immediate consequences of bidding adieu to the Department of Education would be the disruption of federal funding for K -12 schools. Currently, billions of dollars flow through initiatives like Title I, which supports schools in low-income communities. If the federal umbrella drifts away, states and local governments will carry the accountability for funding- an uneven and unreliable system that can deepen the prevailing systemic disparities. Wealthier districts will continue to encounter an upward trajectory in growth whereas underfunded areas will witness schools grappling for basic amenities and resources.
The Department of Education has long stood as a bulwark and kingpin safeguard against discrimination in schools. Its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other protections that prevent racial, gender-based, and disability-related discrimination. If these duties are scattered across state agencies, protections will likely become inconsistent and fragile. The lack of federal enforcement could embolden institutions that seek to bypass civil rights laws, putting marginalized students at higher risk of discrimination and exclusion.
The Department of Education manages more than $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt and administers critical financial aid programs like Pell Grants. Bifurcating this responsibility to the Department of the Treasury or private lenders could result in chaos—a surge in borrowing costs, inefficient administration, and weakened borrower protections. Millions of students who rely on federal assistance to attend college could find themselves navigating an unpredictable system, with predatory lending practices making a resurgence.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees tailored educational support for students with disabilities. Shattering the Department of Education will leave states solely responsible for vindicating these provisions, leading to widening disparities in service availability and quality. Students with special needs could face longer wait times for services, reduced access to individualized education plans (IEPs), and an overall decline in support.
The federal government funds billions of dollars in research grants for universities, particularly in STEM fields. If the Department of Education disappears, this funding could dwindle, severely hampering scientific and technological advancements. Universities relying on federal grants to conduct groundbreaking research may struggle to secure alternative sources of funding, slowing progress in medicine, engineering, and innovation-driven industries.
One of the primary responsibilities of the Department of Education is to have a benchmark on the teacher training and certification benchmarks that ensure educational consistency across the states. If this oversight swifts away, states will formulate their own standards, potentially leading to a patched, fragmented, and inconsistent teaching workforce. Some states may lower their requirements to cater to teacher shortages, resulting in an influx of underqualified educators in classrooms, depreciating the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.