Trump’s 2025 Education Agenda: What’s Changing Under the Department of Education?

In 2025, President Donald Trump is focused on making changes to the U.S. Education Department. He has promised to reduce its size and influence, but many questions are being raised about how much change can happen and what this means for students and schools.

What is the Department of Education?

The Department of Education is a government agency that helps oversee the nation’s education system. It provides funding to schools, helps protect students’ rights, and supports programs for students with disabilities. The department also helps students afford college through programs like federal student loans and grants.

Trump’s Plan for the Department of Education

President Trump has said he wants to close the Department of Education. He believes that it has become too big and that the federal government shouldn’t be so involved in local school decisions. Trump argues that education decisions should be made at the state and local levels, with more control given to parents and school boards.

To work toward this goal, Trump is planning to reduce the department’s size. He has ordered the Education Department to start cutting spending and is encouraging workers to leave. Some employees have been put on leave, and others have been offered buyouts to leave their jobs.

Can Trump close the Department of Education?

While Trump wants to close the department, there are limits to what he can do. The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979, so any plan to close it would need Congress’s approval. This means that even though Trump can try to reduce the department’s size and influence, he cannot shut it down entirely without the support of Congress.

Some of the department’s work is required by federal law, such as programs that help low-income students or students with disabilities. These programs cannot just be stopped by the president. In the past, Trump’s attempts to cut the budget for the department were blocked by Congress, and many lawmakers have expressed support for keeping the department.

What’s Changing under Trump’s Education Plan?

Budget Cuts
Trump is planning to reduce the Education Department’s budget. However, even if this happens, the department still has a large budget, and the cuts may not be very big compared to its total spending.
Shifting Programs
Trump’s administration is looking into moving some of the Education Department’s programs to other government agencies. For example, money for low-income schools could be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services. This would give states more control over how they spend the money, but it may also mean less oversight from the federal government.
Focus on “Patriotic” Education
Trump has expressed interest in promoting a “patriotic” education, which could affect how history and social studies are taught in schools. He has also focused on cracking down on schools that teach certain topics, like race and gender, which he sees as controversial.
Changes to Student Loans
Trump has made efforts to change how student loans work, aiming to make higher education more affordable. There are concerns that under his plan, some protections for student loan borrowers might be rolled back, which could affect people with federal student loans.

Challenges and Support

While President Trump has strong support from some people who want to see changes in education, others are concerned. Many states rely on federal funding for schools, and cutting or changing this funding could cause problems for schools that serve low-income students or students with disabilities.

Additionally, Congress would need to approve any large changes, and some lawmakers—both Democrats and Republicans—are against cutting the Education Department too much. For example, some Republicans have opposed shutting it down entirely because they believe it plays an important role in supporting schools across the country.

What’s Next?

The changes to the Education Department under Trump’s plan are still being worked out. The president’s education secretary nominee, Linda McMahon, is expected to help create a plan for winding down the department. However, it is unclear how far Trump can go without the support of Congress.

In the meantime, education advocates, teachers, and parents are paying close attention to how these changes could affect schools and students. Whether or not the Department of Education is shut down, the debate over the role of the federal government in education is sure to continue.

Conclusion

Trump’s 2025 education agenda is focused on reducing the size and influence of the U.S. Education Department. While some of his plans may face challenges, such as needing Congressional approval, changes to education programs, funding, and policies could still have a big impact on schools and students across the country. It will be interesting to see how these plans unfold in the coming years.