The Department of Education plays a pivotal role in the lives of American students. As the federal agency responsible for funding K-12 education, special education programs, and school improvement initiatives, it ensures access to quality education across the nation. The department also provides Pell Grants and federal student loans to college students. However, this essential agency is now under threat from the current administration.
Learn more about the department’s critical role in supporting students’ education below.
What Is the Department of Education?
The Department of Education “promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages,” according to the Department of Education’s official website.
What Is the Purpose of the Dept. of Education?
The mission of the Department of Education is to ensure “access to equal educational opportunities, improve the quality of education, [and] improve the coordination of Federal education programs,” among other goals, according to the department’s official website.
How Many Employees Does the Dept. of Education Have?
The Department of Education has around 4,400 employees, according to multiple outlets. It is the smallest cabinet-level department.
However, since late January 2025, the Trump administration has laid off dozens of newer, probationary employees and placed many more on paid leave due to their associations with DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) programs. This includes individuals who were encouraged to attend a diversity workshop during the first Trump administration.
Can Trump Dismantle the Department?
President Donald Trump plans to abolish the Department of Education through an executive order and also intends to push Congress to pass legislation to permanently end the department. Since the department was established by Congress, an act of Congress would be required to officially shut it down.
Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Education and former WWE co-founder Linda McMahon is set to begin dismantling the department, as outlined in an executive order prepared by White House officials, The Wall Street Journal reports.
In the draft of the order reported on March 5, McMahon is instructed to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”
During a news briefing in the Oval Office, Trump previously stated to the press: “We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list. Let the states run schools,” as reported by CNN.
During his presidential campaign, Trump also stated, “We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s youth with all sorts of things that you don’t want to have our youth hearing,” per CNN. The Department of Education only receives about 2% of the federal budget, according to multiple outlets.
In late January 2025, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) reintroduced Bill H.R. 899, which aims to eliminate the Department of Education. The one-sentence text of H.R. 899 states that the agency would be abolished by December 31, 2026.
The effort follows the introduction of the “Returning Education Back to Our States Act” by South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds on November 21, 2024. In announcing the legislation, Rounds stated, “For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education,” adding, “I’m pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year.”
When Was the Department of Education Created?
The Department of Education was created under former President Jimmy Carter in 1979. When Ronald Reagan came into office, he had the same agenda of eliminating the department but was unable to do so due to Congress.
