The Anger Towards the Department of Education: Misconceptions, Realities, and What’s at Stake
John F. Kennedy famously declared, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education” (Kennedy, 1961). Yet today, the United States Department of Education (DOE), established under President Jimmy Carter in 1979, faces intense criticism, with opponents calling for its downsizing or complete elimination. Critics often portray the department as an overreaching bureaucracy that interferes excessively with local education decisions. However, much of this frustration arises from persistent misconceptions about its actual role and responsibilities, obscuring the critical support it provides to millions of American students.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTEDUCATION
Dr. Shawn Granger
2/22/20253 min read
Common Misconceptions about the DOE
A common misconception is that the Department of Education dictates local curricula or mandates specific teaching methods. In reality, the DOE does not control local curricula or instructional methods. Instead, these decisions lie entirely with state governments and local school boards (U.S. Department of Education [DOE], 2022a).
Another widespread myth exists around the Common Core State Standards, with critics like former President Donald Trump stating, “Common Core is a disaster. We need education locally” (Trump, 2016). However, the Common Core standards were collaboratively developed by states without any federal mandate or requirement for adoption. Each state independently decides whether to use, adapt, or reject these standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2022).
The Critical Role of the Department of Education
Dismantling the Department of Education would have significant impacts, particularly on vulnerable communities that rely heavily on federal support. Key functions that would be at risk include:
Federal Funding for Education The DOE offers vital financial assistance, allocating billions each year to low-income schools, special education programs, and post-secondary education via Pell Grants and other forms of aid. The loss of this funding would disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities (DOE, 2022b).
Civil Rights Protection The DOE's Office for Civil Rights enforces essential federal laws that prevent discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and socioeconomic status. Without federal oversight, marginalized students would become more vulnerable to discrimination and inequity (DOE, 2023a).
Educational Accountability and Data Oversight The department collects extensive educational data to assess national progress, identify disparities, and inform policy improvements. Cutting this function would undermine national efforts to narrow achievement gaps and improve educational quality (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2023).
The administration of federal student loan programs, managed by the Department of Education (DOE), allows millions to afford higher education. Without the DOE, the management of student loans would become uncertain, likely restricting access to higher education for low- and middle-income students (Federal Student Aid, 2023).
Emergency Educational Support The DOE provides essential emergency resources and funding during disasters and crises, ensuring the continuity of education. The withdrawal of such support could postpone recovery and worsen educational disruptions in affected areas (DOE, 2022c).
Support for Students with Disabilities Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the DOE ensures that students with disabilities receive equitable educational opportunities through specialized funding and legal protection. The loss of this support would significantly impact students who require special education services (DOE, 2023b).
State Control and Responsibilities
While the DOE plays a vital role, it’s important to acknowledge the significant responsibilities that lie at the state and local levels:
Curriculum and Instruction: States set their own academic standards, select textbooks, and create curricular guidelines.
Teacher Certification: States establish the licensing standards and policies for hiring teachers.
Local School Administration: Funding allocations, budget decisions, and administrative policies are mostly managed at the local level.
Testing and Graduation Requirements: States independently create and implement standardized testing policies and graduation criteria, influenced but not required by federal guidelines (Education Commission of the States, 2022).
George W. Bush highlighted the importance of tackling educational inequity, stating, "We must have an education system that refuses to leave any child behind" (Bush, 2001). The anger driven by misconceptions towards the DOE often overlooks its essential role as a supportive rather than a controlling entity.
Rather than dismantling the Department of Education, policymakers and communities would gain more by enhancing its efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to local needs. As Senator Bernie Sanders stated, “Education should be a right, not a privilege, and no student should have to take on a lifetime of debt to receive it” (Sanders, 2015).
References
Bush, G. W. (2001, January 23). No Child Left Behind speech. Retrieved from https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/01/20010123-3.html
Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2022). About the standards. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/
Education Commission of the States. (2022). State Education Policy. Retrieved from https://www.ecs.org/state-education-policy/
Federal Student Aid. (2023). About Us. Retrieved from https://studentaid.gov/
Kennedy, J. F. (1961, February 20). Special Message to the Congress on Education. Retrieved from https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/special-message-to-the-congress-on-education
National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). About NCES. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/
Sanders, B. (2015, May 19). Bernie Sanders on education reform. Retrieved from https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-on-education-reform
Trump, D. J. (2016, September 8). Trump's education speech. Retrieved from https://time.com/4486502/donald-trump-education-speech-transcript/
U.S. Department of Education. (2022a). What We Do. Retrieved from https://www.ed.gov/about
U.S. Department of Education. (2022b). Education budget summary. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget22/summary/22summary.pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2022c). Disaster response. Retrieved from https://www.ed.gov/hurricane-help
U.S. Department of Education. (2023a). Office for Civil Rights. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
U.S. Department of Education. (2023b). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Retrieved from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/