Imagine there’s no Education Department. Picture where all the money and rules would go. President Trump wants to shut it down, saying it’s filled with “radicals, zealots, and Marxists. ” He picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, to lead it. But closing the department isn’t easy. Congress has to be involved.

The department does a lot with money. It sends billions to schools and colleges every year and manages student loans. That’s a lot of work for other agencies to take over. The department also protects students, like those with disabilities or who are low-income.

Trump wants to cut off money to schools teaching certain things, like “critical race theory” and “transgender insanity. ” He also wants to end teacher tenure and push for school choice. Federal money isn’t a big part of school budgets, but colleges depend on it.

The department looks after student loans, Pell Grants, and financial aid. President Biden tried to cancel student loans, but it didn’t work out. Trump thinks that’s unfair.

The department makes sure schools follow civil rights laws. Trump wants to change that. He says he’ll stop schools from discriminating based on race and punish colleges using diversity policies. He also wants to exclude transgender students from Title IX protections.

Colleges need to be accredited to get federal money. The Education Department oversees that. Trump says he’ll fire accreditors he doesn’t like and find new ones who support “American traditions. ”

Money for schools comes from big programs like Title I for low-income schools. Trump wants states to handle that. He hasn’t said exactly how, but groups like the Heritage Foundation have ideas. They suggest moving programs to the Department of Health and Human Services, then giving states no-strings-attached grants.

What Would Happen if the Education Department Was Dismantled?

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