Trump's Vision for Dismantling the Department of Education
Ask students: What programs might be affected by defunding the Education Department proposed by the Trump administration?
The Department of Education (DOE) is on the Trump chopping block. Details have not been fully released yet, but the president has signaled plans to dismantle it and move some of its key functions elsewhere. The department oversees student loans, federal funds for lower-income students, special education programs and more.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- Who are some of the individuals and groups that would be affected by cuts to the DOE?
- What programs might be affected by defunding the Education Department proposed by the Trump administration?
- When might Trump issue an Executive Order (EO) to dismantle the DOE? Note that only Congress, which created the Department of Education in 1979, can abolish it.
- Why is Trump targeting the DOE? (Note: Republican lawmakers have pushed for its elimination for many years.)
- How would the changes Trump is proposing affect schools and students across the country?
Focus Questions
- What programs do you find of value that the Department of Education provides?
- Since most education decisions are made at the state and local level, why do you think there has been a public outcry about the potential shuttering of the DOE or gutting of its resources?
- Media literacy: The closure of a federal department must be done by Congress, federal lawmakers elected by the American people.
- If Congress is the only entity that can abolish the Education Department, is it possible for Trump to sign an Executive Order eliminating it, as he said on the campaign trail and reported in recent articles? What has happened after Trump has signed other EOs since taking office?
- How does the system of checks and balances, fundamental to a representative democracy and constitutional republic, play a role in this story?
Discussion Questions
Find out more about what the Department of Education does. Research one of the following areas or choose another part of the DOE to learn more about. From there, discuss with a classmate, neighbor or family member whether or not you think funds could be cut.
- Special education
- Federal funds for low-income students (Title I)
- Student loans for higher education
- Pre-school programs
- Research for understanding education issues and how to make school systems in America more effective
- Civil rights laws
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
Advertisement
