Recent developments within the White House have ignited heated discussions about potential cuts to government agencies, with the Department of Education (ED) being a prominent target. According to reports, President Trump has signed executive orders prohibiting federal funding to schools and universities mandating COVID-19 vaccinations. Additionally, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the ED have issued a warning to state education departments, announcing the possible revocation of federal funding if they do not eliminate all “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs within 14 days. The order requires schools, from middle schools to universities, to review their policies to align with DOGE’s interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFFA) v. President & Fellows of Harvard College (Harvard) and SFFA v. University of North Carolina (UNC). This Supreme Court case rules against racial preferences in college admissions, implying that treating students differently based on race is unconstitutional. In addition to these rollbacks, the administration has made its mission clear since Day 1: the Department of Education has to go. This directive aligns with Musk’s greater goals for DOGE which include efforts to cut the budget, restructure federal agencies, and slash regulations.
What Does the Department of Education Do?
The Department of Education’s (ED) role is far more expansive than most realize. Established in 1979, the ED administers federal funding for schools, sets national education policies, and ensures compliance with federal education laws. In addition, the Department also works in conjunction with state and local governments to improve student achievement, promote equal access to education in marginalized areas, and address challenges faced by underfunded school systems. Another critical but oft-ignored task it holds is managing key initiatives such as financial aid for college students and regulating student loans through FAFSA, impacting millions.
Furthermore, the ED plays a vital role in shaping national education standards and maintaining programs aimed at vulnerable populations, such as low-income, disabled, and non-native English-speaking students. Without the ED, there would be no uniform national requirements for education systems in the U.S. Without the ED, a high school student in Arkansas can receive a completely different education than a student in neighboring Oklahoma. So why are there calls to remove it?
America’s Learning Problem
One of the most prevalent issues in America today is the lack of quality education. Despite significant investments, the U.S. continues to face educational challenges, including low test scores, achievement gaps between socioeconomic groups, and high dropout rates, falling far below other developed countries. This learning crisis is compounded by disparities in educational opportunities, with students in rural or low-income areas often receiving access to subpar resources and support compared to their more affluent peers.
A Pew Research Center report highlights the achievement gap, particularly between students from wealthier and lower-income backgrounds, as a significant problem. However, the ED is not the cause of these problems, but rather an incomplete solution. Without the centralized oversight and resources provided by the ED, these disparities will worsen, and efforts to tackle the country’s learning problem could be set back significantly.
How Will Vanderbilt Be Affected?
The potential cuts to the Department of Education raise crucial questions about the effects on higher education institutions, including Vanderbilt University. As a private institution, Vanderbilt may seem insulated from many federal regulations. However, Vanderbilt, along with other colleges and universities, relies on federal financial aid programs to help low-income students. The ED administers a range of funding mechanisms, including Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study programs, that support students in paying for college. One Vanderbilt student expressed concern, saying, “I’m worried that federal loans will be cut, and I will no longer be able to afford Vanderbilt.”
In addition, any changes to federal education policy could affect research funding (as VUMC is already experiencing), student protections, and the overall structure of higher education in the U.S. Federal initiatives promoting campus safety, anti-discrimination laws, and accessibility could also be jeopardized. A Vanderbilt education major, who chose to remain anonymous, weighed in on the potential effects of eliminating the ED: “There are certain educational laws that have been put in place that work on a national level, and if you make it a state policy, it can never work,” she explained, referring to national standards on testing and diversity.
This highlights the broader concern: if the ED is dismantled, the responsibility of maintaining education equality could shift entirely to states, resulting in a fragmented approach to education that may be detrimental. Thus, every student should keep a keen eye on the ED, and reach out to their local representatives to ensure the future of this department remains safe.
