Trump nixes the Dept. of Education. How will this affect MS schools and students?
As part of the major overhaul of the federal government, the Trump administration is executing the dismantling of the Department of Education (DOE).
Putting an end to the DOE was one of Trump’s campaign promises. “I will close the Department of Education and move education back to the states where it belongs,” Trump said.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) warns that dismantling the DOE could affect 26 million children across every district, including the 762,477 school-aged children in Mississippi, many of whom are in under-served and vulnerable communities.
What are the main responsibilities of the DOE?
Although states and local districts are already in charge of their schools, the DOE funding helps states ensure all their kids have access to an education.
This includes many areas:
Establishes and distributes financial aid
Collects educational data
Identifies and addresses key education issues
Protects students’ rights
Supports state and local education systems
What are the proposed cuts?
The changes to the DOE include major budget cuts, personnel changes, elimination of programs and the possible dissolution of the department altogether.
Specifically, these are the major changes proposed:
Significant budget cuts: Reductions could total $900 million, including cuts to teacher training grants and the Institute of Education Sciences.
Staff and program reductions: Employees have been placed on administrative leave and face potential termination of non-protected programs.
Proposal to dissolve the department: There has been a call for Congress to eliminate the department entirely.
Shift in focus and responsibilities: There is the potential reallocation of functions such as civil rights enforcement and student loans to other agencies and changes to funding models like Title I and IDEA.
Policy changes: Removal of diversity and equity initiatives are possible, and changes in support for specific student groups, such as transgender youth.
How will this impact Mississippi specifically?
Mississippi ranks number 30 in quality of education, compared to the rest of the U.S., and heavily relies on federal funding for many programs and services. Interruption to this funding will disproportionately affect the 24% of students that live below the poverty line.
The most significant consequences will affect these areas the most:
Title I funding: The state could lose up to $202 million in revenue if Title I federal funding is eliminated.
Special education: Mississippi receives approximately $117 million in critical funds for special education through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Low-income students: The cuts could impact programs like free school meals and after-school tutoring, which disproportionately affect Black and Brown children
Higher education: The halt on federal loans and grants in Mississippi’s university system could impact college accessibility.
Rural districts: Poorer districts rely on federal funding and may face a decline in school quality
Special education service: Unless the state government intervenes, students may face less accommodation services
These changes could force school districts, and parents for that matter, to find alternative solutions for their students’ education in order to maintain educational standards.
Are you worried about Mississippi’s students? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
