This article examines the role and responsibilities of the US Department of Education, highlighting its funding programs, oversight functions, and the ongoing debate surrounding its size and scope.
Created by Congress in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education employs more than 4,000 people and has an annual budget of $79 billion. President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues have repeatedly criticized the department, viewing it as an example of government overreach. They have proposed various measures to reduce its programs and staff, including an executive action to eliminate unlegislated programs and calls for Congress to abolish the department entirely.
Despite the criticism, many of the department's responsibilities were mandated by Congress. The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly grant the federal government a role in education. The department's primary functions revolve around providing funding and oversight for education programs, particularly those aimed at serving students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. The department administers several key programs, including Title I, which provides funding to schools serving high concentrations of low-income students, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which funds special education services. Both of these programs were established through separate acts of Congress and enjoy broad bipartisan support. Changes to these programs would likely require significant legislative action. Additionally, the department manages the federal student loan portfolio, which amounts to approximately $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. It oversees the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the mechanism through which students access financial aid for college. The department also conducts the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the 'Nation's Report Card,' which provides a comprehensive assessment of student achievement in key subject areas. The NAEP data is used by educators, policymakers, and researchers to inform improvements in K-12 education nationwide.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FUNDING STUDENT LOANS SPECIAL EDUCATION NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS
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