In Washington, the ongoing debate over the federal government’s role in American education has resurfaced following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to dismantle the U.S. Education Department. This decision has sparked discussions about the federal influence on schooling and educational equity, issues that date back to the Civil War era. Critics argue that Trump’s decision undermines efforts to bridge educational disparities among racial lines, which civil rights activists consider an incomplete but crucial aspect of the movement toward racial equality and democracy. In contrast, supporters view the move as an opportunity for greater local control and improved education quality in various communities.
The response to the executive order has been swift, with a coalition of civil rights and education groups, including the NAACP and the National Education Association, filing a lawsuit. They claim that dismantling the department would violate the Constitution since Congress initially established the department in 1979. Moreover, they express concern that the closure would leave communities of color and other marginalized groups without protection against civil rights violations in schools.
The Trump administration has focused on antisemitism cases as a priority for the department’s Office for Civil Rights, which handles discrimination complaints in educational institutions. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has hinted that this office could be transferred to the Justice Department.
Civil rights advocates draw parallels to historical struggles for educational equity. Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, criticized the administration’s justification for abolishing the Education Department, likening it to excuses from the era of legalized school segregation. Members of Congress and liberal legal organizations have pledged to counter the executive order.
Democratic Representative Jahana Hayes, a former teacher, introduced legislation to maintain and invest in the department, although it faces slim chances in the Republican-dominated House. Michael Pillera, a former senior civil rights attorney at the department, warns that Trump’s decision could dismantle essential civil rights protections for students of color.
Proponents of school choice, however, praise the executive order as a means to enable communities to better cater to students’ needs. School choice encompasses a range of alternatives to neighborhood public schools, such as charter schools, homeschooling, and vouchers for private schooling. Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, views Trump’s order as dismantling an ineffective bureaucracy while promoting school choice nationally.
Although supporters argue that market forces should drive education to improve low-performing public schools, civil rights groups caution that school choice often benefits affluent students, exacerbating existing educational disparities. Maya Wiley, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, argues that Trump’s order undermines the goal of ensuring equitable education for all and advocates for reforming the department to uphold its accountability to Black families.
The Education Department has a storied history linked closely to civil rights, initially established in 1867 as part of post-Civil War Reconstruction efforts. It faced resistance from Southern politicians and disbanded a year later until President Jimmy Carter reestablished it in 1979. Education has been fundamental to civil rights struggles, from the establishment of historically Black colleges to the pivotal Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which deemed school segregation unconstitutional.
The administration argues that closing the department will not cut essential services, despite pressure from some lawmakers to streamline federal education programs. McMahon emphasizes reducing bureaucracy and empowering states to tailor education to their local needs. However, some educators worry that this shift may harm marginalized communities relying on education for advancement and political influence. Sharif El-Mekki, advocating for Black teacher recruitment and development, warns against over-reliance on states’ rights, which historically permitted discriminatory practices.