US Government Proposes Major Changes to Education System

• Nov 19, 2025
• zettahaedlines

The Department of Education under President Donald Trump (2017–2021) experienced significant shifts in policy, leadership, and organizational structure. The term “Department of Education Trump” refers to the U.S. Department of Education’s activities, priorities, leadership, and reforms during Trump’s presidency. This article provides a thorough yet easy-to-understand overview of the key aspects of the department during this period, including major policy initiatives, leadership appointments, budget priorities, controversies, and the administration’s vision for American education.

Overview of the Department of Education Under Trump

The Department of Education (ED), federally responsible for shaping education policy, enforcing civil rights in schools, and distributing billions in federal funding, saw a distinctive approach during the Trump years. The administration emphasized school choice, states' rights in education, deregulation, shrinking the federal role, and reforming higher education accountability.

While the Department traditionally plays a strong role in public K-12 and postsecondary education regulation and funding, the Trump administration sought to reduce federal oversight, shift power back to states and local governments, and prioritize parental choice. This agenda often clashed with established norms and led to budget cuts, staff reductions, and changes in civil rights enforcement.

Leadership and Key Appointments

Betsy DeVos served as Secretary of Education throughout most of Trump’s term. Her tenure was controversial, given her strong advocacy for charter schools, school vouchers, and school choice policies. Several Senate confirmations of department officials aligned with Trump’s goals were made to support the reform agenda.

Other key officials focused on streamlining postsecondary education, reforming accreditation systems, and increasing transparency in federal student aid programs.

Major Policies and Priorities

• School Choice and Vouchers: The Trump administration pushed aggressively for expanded school choice programs, including vouchers and charter school support, enabling parents more options to select schools outside traditional public districts.
• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): The administration restored significant control over education policy to the states by emphasizing ESSA's state-led approach, moving away from Obama-era federal mandates.
• Higher Education: Policies targeted making colleges accountable by requiring transparency about outcomes, costs, and student debt. The FUTURE Act increased funding for Pell Grants. The administration also pushed reforms in accreditation processes.
• Civil Rights Enforcement: There was a reduction in enforcement staff and a shift in priorities within the Office for Civil Rights, including changing guidelines on issues such as transgender student rights and racial equity programs.
• Department Downsizing: Efforts were made to shrink the department’s size and influence, including proposals to cut budgets by 10-15% and trial attempts to close or radically reduce the department’s scope.

Attempts to Dismantle or Reduce the Department

President Trump, who frequently criticized the Department of Education as a “big con job,” expressed desires to shutter the agency completely or reduce it drastically, advocating that education decisions should primarily reside with the states. While congressional action to eliminate the department did not occur, executive efforts led to workforce reductions by half, operational freezes, and layoffs of key enforcement personnel.

These actions raised concerns about federal support for vulnerable populations such as students with disabilities and civil rights protections, as enforcement offices experienced significant staff cuts.

Impact on Students and Schools

• Federal funding continued but was scrutinized and sometimes reduced in programs that supported after-school initiatives, teacher training, and vulnerable student populations.
• The reduced oversight led to debates over compliance with federal laws protecting disabled students and prohibiting discrimination.
• Transparency initiatives aimed to empower students and families with better information about college costs and outcomes.

Legal and Political Controversies

The Trump administration’s Department of Education faced legal challenges to its budget cuts and layoffs. There were public debates regarding the balance between federal oversight and state/local control, especially concerning civil rights enforcement and support for disadvantaged students.

Legacy and Future Implications

The Trump-era Department of Education set a precedent for reducing federal intervention in education, expanding school choice, and focusing on deregulation. While controversial, this period has shaped ongoing discussions around the federal government's role in education policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the main goal of the Department of Education under Trump?
The main goal was to promote school choice, restore education authority to states, reduce federal bureaucracy, reform higher education accountability, and overhaul student aid systems.

2. Did the Trump administration try to eliminate the Department of Education?
Yes, President Trump expressed support for shuttering the department, calling it “a big con job,” and made efforts to reduce its size and budget, but Congress did not approve its complete elimination.

3. Who was the Secretary of Education under Trump?
Betsy DeVos served as Secretary of Education, playing a central role in advancing school choice and deregulation.

4. How did Trump’s policies affect K-12 education funding?
While some funding continued, the administration sought significant budget cuts for many programs including teacher training and after-school programs, and emphasized state control over federal mandates.

5. What changes were made to civil rights enforcement?
Staffing was drastically reduced in the Office for Civil Rights, and enforcement priorities shifted, which critics argued weakened protections, especially for disabled students and in matters of racial and gender equity.

6. What was the FUTURE Act?
The FUTURE Act made permanent funding commitments for Pell Grants, increasing support for low-income college students.

7. How did the administration approach higher education reform?
It pushed for transparency in college costs and outcomes, reforms in accreditation, and measures to hold institutions accountable for student debt.

8. What were the consequences of department downsizing?
Layoffs and operational freezes jeopardized enforcement of federal laws and created uncertainty around federal funding distribution and oversight.

1. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-celebrates-senate-confirmations-additional-education-leadership
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Education
3. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/issues/education/
4. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-wants-education-department-be-closed-immediately-2025-02-12/
5. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/trump-administrations-agenda-to-dismantle-the-us-education-department-how-far-will-it-go/articleshow/124720066.cms
6. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trumps-k-12-record-in-his-first-term-offers-a-blueprint-for-what-could-be-next/2024/10
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Department_of_Education_appointments_by_Donald_Trump
8. https://www.presidentsalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Overview-of-Trump-Administration-Immigration-Policies-2017-2021.pdf
9. https://www.future-ed.org/whos-who-in-the-u-s-education-department/