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The Department of Education (DOE) is a critical part of the U.S. government, focusing on schools and learning. It helps set rules for education, provides funding to schools, and works to ensure all students have access to quality education. Additionally, the DOE supports teachers and develops programs aimed at improving learning across the nation.
President Biden’s 2024 fiscal year budget for elementary and secondary education focused on addressing equity gaps and improving educational opportunities for underserved students. It emphasized increased funding for Title I schools, supported English learners, and expanded access to high-quality preschool. Key investments included $20.5 billion for Title I schools to aid low-income areas, $1.2 billion for English Language Acquisition programs, and $500 million to expand free preschool. The budget also allocated $578 million for mental health services, $368 million for community schools, and funding to improve teacher diversity, training, and retention. These measures aimed to ensure that all students, regardless of background, received the resources and support necessary for success.
In October 2023, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his plan to close the Department of Education, arguing that states would better address local needs if given complete control of education. His platform included a promise to cut federal funding for schools that promoted content like critical race theory or gender ideologies. While the federal government plays significant roles in areas such as civil rights enforcement, Title I funding, and student loans, experts noted that closing the department would require congressional approval—a challenging prospect even with Republican control. Critics highlighted that many red, rural states heavily reliant on federal funding might oppose the move. The President elect’s pledge reflects long-standing conservative goals to limit federal influence in education, echoing similar efforts by past Republican leaders like Ronald Reagan.
Superintendents in Wyoming shared a variety of perspectives on the potential shift to state and local control if the DOE were dissolved. Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent, Jeff Jones, expressed strong support for such a move due to his belief that federal mandates are overly standardized and outdated. Sheridan County School District 3 Superintendent, Chase Christensen, however, raised concerns about funding allocations based on per-pupil formulas, arguing that smaller districts often lack sufficient resources under such systems. Fremont County School District 6 Superintendent, Troy Zickefoose, viewed the proposal positively and highlighted the potential benefits of reducing bureaucracy and giving districts greater control over spending. Despite differing views, they all emphasized the importance of preparing students for diverse futures and effectively meeting individual needs.
Opposition to the Department of Education is now strongly associated with Republicans, but its creation in 1979 faced bipartisan resistance. President Jimmy Carter established the department to fulfill a campaign promise to the National Education Association, despite objections from his own team. Critics argued that issues affecting children, including education, should remain under the broader Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Over the next four decades, the DOE became a key part of the federal government and earned bipartisan support for programs like vocational education funding. However, conservative opposition to the Department of Education has resurfaced, showing how the GOP has shifted from focusing on “from compassionate conservatism to culture wars,” according to historian Gareth Davies. While this approach energizes conservative activists, it may turn off other moderate voters in future elections, as Democrats frame it as being against teachers and public schools.
The future of the DOE remains a contentious political issue. Whether through federal oversight or localized control, the challenge of ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all students should remain the priority.
