On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. Although it is still unclear what this order will entail and how the Department of Education would change, I find it vital as a future educator to know how this order impacts students inside the classroom. This post will focus on the effects this order would have on students in the public school system. I urge readers to take the time to grapple with what is at stake in this order and how it will impact students’ education.

This order has been quite controversial in the world of education. Trump cannot dissolve the department in one action; he needs approval by Congress and a supermajority in the US Senate. His order does not include a timeline, but directs the Secretary of the Department of Education to take the steps to facilitate the end of the agency and transfer authority over public education to state and local governments.

What’s at Stake

It was made clear that the order will not get rid of the already-standing disability civil rights laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. IDEA makes free public education available for children with disabilities, including special education services the individual may need. This law helps roughly fifteen percent of all students in the US. Section 504 ensures equal access and participation for students with disabilities by forbidding discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities. 

While the order does not explicitly state a reduction in education funding, that is a major concern for many educators. Schools that rely heavily on government funding are now threatened. Funds used for materials for students with special needs and paying special education teachers’ salaries are at high risk of being cut. Budget cuts have led to almost half of the Office of Civil Rights staff being terminated (the office is responsible for enforcing the disability civil rights laws). Losing staff in this necessary office is frightening. They play a critical role in ensuring that students with disabilities are treated equitably and receive the academic support they need.

A Future Educator’s Perspective

I will admit that as a future educator, this topic is a very personal one. As I am working toward completing my bachelor’s degree in elementary education, I must work in several different elementary schools surrounding Elon, NC. With that being said, I have spent the past three years working with students in various nearby elementary schools. Several of the elementary schools surrounding Elon University are deemed Title 1 schools, which refers to schools that receive federal funding to support students from low-income families and help them meet academic standards. I have seen firsthand how vital this funding is for students who depend on these resources for their academic success and well-being.

I am currently taking EDU 4510, Teaching Diverse Learners, taught by Professor Miller Dyce, PhD, MSW. The overall purpose of this course is to prepare future educators on how to teach in today’s classrooms effectively. In this course, I have learned a lot about the different theoretical foundations for teaching diverse learners, critical self-reflection, and the various types of diversity. As I reflect on the impact this course has had on me, I realize how important this course’s content is. As I sit in the class, I worry that I will be one of the last students able to take the course. This makes me nauseous, as I have learned such valuable knowledge and information from this course. I have learned the utter importance of understanding each individual student’s needs and how critical it is for educators to support students properly.

As a current teacher candidate, I am in an interesting position as I witness the federal education system being ordered to halt. I often ask myself, what does the future hold for a future educator? More than that, I am eager to learn what this means for the Dr. Jo Watt’s Williams School of Education at Elon University.

Action and Accountability

As I continue attending class, I often wish my professors would discuss what is taking place in the news. Instead, there is a sense of silence surrounding the topic. I await the school of education to send out a statement regarding what is happening and provide guidance to address the uncertainty both teachers and students are experiencing. The lack of communication leads to intense frustration and anxiety among my peers and me. As future teachers, we deserve to know what’s to come for us and our future students.

Ultimately, regardless of political viewpoint, we must consider how harmful certain actions may be to future generations. The decisions being made in the White House and the plans in progress are detrimental to America’s future generations. It is time to address these very real issues and topics and fight for children’s education. Every student, regardless of their skin color, religion, and financial income deserves the right to a quality education.

It is no longer an option to sit by and watch important decisions be made.

References

Bender, Michael C., Erica L. Green, and Alan Blinder. 2025. “Trump Signs Order Aimed at Eliminating Education Dept. ‘Once and for All’.” New York Times. March 20, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/trump-education-department.html.

O’Connor, Kyra. 2021. “Board of Aldermen Discuss Littering in Town of Elon Neighborhood.” Elon News Network. February 2021. https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2021/02/board-of-aldermen-littering-police-recognized.

US Department of Education. n.d. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). http://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea.

About the Author

Kira Campagna is a 2024–2026 Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) Student Scholar, collaborating with participants in the CEL Research Seminar on Affirming and Inclusive Engaged Learning for Neurodivergent Students. She is majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Environmental Education. 

Learn more about the current Student Scholars.

How to Cite This Post

Campagna, Kira. 2025. “Dismantling the Department of Education: What About the Kids?” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. June 17, 2025. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/dismantling-the-department-of-education-what-about-the-kids.