The Future of Fair Education

The Education Department has been a key player in ensuring equal access to education for all students since its creation in 1979. This mission was born out of the anti-poverty and civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The department's goal was to strengthen the federal commitment to equal educational opportunities for every individual. However, recent changes are raising questions about the future of this commitment. The Trump administration has been making significant changes to the Education Department. The workforce has been cut in half, and there are plans to shut down the department entirely. The administration has suggested that other agencies could take over the department's major responsibilities. For example, the Justice Department could handle civil rights enforcement, while the Treasury or Commerce departments could manage student loans. The Health and Human Services department could oversee student disability rights. One of the biggest concerns is what will happen to the department's mission of promoting equal access to education. This is a complex issue, and it's not clear how other agencies would handle this responsibility. Critics worry that without the Education Department, the federal government might not advocate for poor students, English language learners, students with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities in the same way. The Education Department has been a valuable "north star" for schools, providing guardrails, investments, and protections that support equal outcomes for students. Without these protections, there is a risk that states could use federal funding to advance their own priorities, potentially entrenching inequality. This is a particular concern for states that rely heavily on federal aid for school funding. The department has also played a crucial role in defending the rights of students with disabilities and those facing harassment. However, under the Trump administration, the department has prioritized allegations of antisemitism, and some advocates worry about this shift in priorities. There are also concerns about the department's ability to handle complaints, with some attorneys saying they had given up on recommending parents pursue complaints with the Office for Civil Rights. The administration has also ended contracts for technical assistance programs that help school districts address educational inequities. This has raised concerns about the government's responsibility to provide greater educational opportunities for all students. The future of fair education is uncertain, and it's important to consider the potential impacts of these changes.