The Fight for Public Education: Why Dismantling the Department of Education Threatens the Future of America
For generations, public education has been the bedrock of American democracy. It is the great equalizer, the foundation upon which economic mobility, civic engagement, and innovation are built. Yet today, it faces an existential threat—not from budget constraints or policy debates, but from a coordinated effort to dismantle the very institution that safeguards educational equity: the U.S. Department of Education.
The Trump administration, armed with a radical blueprint, aka Project 2025, is moving aggressively to gut the Department of Education under the guise of “local control” and “education freedom.” But let’s call this what it truly is: an attempt to strip millions of students—particularly those from marginalized communities—of their right to a quality education, all while funneling public dollars into private hands. If this plan succeeds, the damage to America’s future will be profound and irreversible.
Why Public Education Matters
Public education is not just about academics; it is about access, opportunity, and the social contract that ensures every child, regardless of background, has a fair shot at success. The Department of Education was created in 1979 to help states provide quality education to all students, protect civil rights in schools, and ensure federal funding reaches the communities that need it most.
Today, that mission is more critical than ever. With growing income inequality, the rise of technology-driven economies, and an increasingly complex global landscape, the need for strong, well-funded public schools has never been greater. But instead of investing in education, the Trump administration is plotting its destruction.
The Plan to Gut the Department of Education
While Trump cannot unilaterally dissolve the Department of Education (it was established by Congress), he can hollow it out from within—and that is exactly what’s happening.
1. Defunding Title I Schools
Title I is the cornerstone of federal education funding, providing over $18 billion annually to schools serving low-income students. Under Project 2025, Title I funding would be phased out within a decade, leaving high-need schools without the resources to support students who already face systemic disadvantages.
2. Dismantling Special Education Protections
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees that students with disabilities receive the services they need to thrive. Trump’s plan would convert these funds into block grants, effectively stripping away federal oversight and allowing states to divert money elsewhere. The result? Students with disabilities left without critical accommodations and support.
3. Privatization and the “Education Freedom” Myth
The administration’s push for universal school vouchers and tax-credit scholarships would siphon billions from public schools and funnel them into private institutions—many of which lack accountability, enforce discriminatory admissions policies, and fail to provide a comprehensive education. Arizona’s failed education savings account program—rife with fraud, waste, and zero transparency—serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when public funds are handed over to private entities with little oversight.
4. Weakening the Teaching Profession
Public education is only as strong as its educators. But instead of supporting teachers, Trump’s plan includes cutting federal grants for teacher training and recruitment, exacerbating the teacher shortage and driving more experienced educators out of the profession. This is not about “efficiency”—it’s about eroding the stability of public schools from the inside out.
Who Benefits? Who Suffers?
The biggest winners in this scenario are private investors, charter school operators, and political donors who stand to profit from the commodification of education. The biggest losers? The 50 million children who rely on public schools, the families who depend on special education services, and the communities that will be left scrambling when federal funding disappears.
Despite claims that “spending more doesn’t guarantee better outcomes,” research consistently shows that school funding matters. Well-funded schools have higher graduation rates, better academic performance, and stronger long-term economic outcomes for students. Cutting resources does not create efficiency—it creates failure, by design.
A Coordinated Attack on Democracy
This assault on public education is not happening in isolation. It is part of a broader effort to undermine public institutions, weaken trust in government, and create a two-tiered society where education—once a public good—becomes a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
The Trump administration’s attack on the Department of Education should be seen in the same light as its efforts to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency, defund public broadcasting, and suppress voting rights. It is about weakening the mechanisms that provide stability, equity, and opportunity for all Americans.
What Can Be Done?
1. Stay Informed
This is happening in real time, often behind closed doors and buried in bureaucratic language. Understanding the implications of these policies is the first step in fighting back.
2. Demand Accountability
Elected officials at every level—local, state, and federal—need to hear from constituents who oppose the dismantling of public education. Parents, teachers, and students must use their voices to push back against policies that put profit over people.
3. Support Public Education
Investing in public schools means more than just funding. It means advocating for policies that strengthen education, supporting teachers, and resisting efforts to divert public funds into private pockets.
4. Vote with Education in Mind
Elections matter. The officials we elect have the power to shape education policy for decades to come. Supporting candidates who prioritize public education is crucial in ensuring a future where every child has access to quality learning opportunities.
The Future of Education is on the Line
The battle for the soul of public education is not coming—it is here. The question is whether we, as a society, will rise to defend it or stand by as it is dismantled piece by piece. The Department of Education is not just a government agency; it is a promise that every child, regardless of background, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
We homeschool because we believe in educational choice. But choice should never come at the expense of equity. Public education is the backbone of democracy, and its survival is non-negotiable.