Gabriella Sandoval, Staff Writer
Despite differing political affiliations, everyone should be in mutual agreement that the Department of Education (DOE) and the various programs within the department, are vital and that their work is imperative. The DOE is responsible for providing necessary assistance and aid towards our education system, and to those that benefit from it. Recent news regarding Trump’s plan to completely defund, and shut down the DOE has sparked controversy on what this could mean for the millions of American families and individuals that rely on federal support from the DOE.
The Department of Education is responsible for establishing, distributing, and monitoring policies on financial aid for education. They also collect data and research on schools, focus national attention on key educational issues, and prohibit inequalities while ensuring opportunistic access to education and other resources.
Although Trump has not fully clarified how he plans to shut the DOE down, there is no doubt that this threat could be monumentally impactful. Project 2025 (the Republican policy initiative) has recommended entirely abolishing the DOE, which would result in various programs to be transferred to other federal agencies, or completely terminated.
There are several necessary and revolutionary programs that the DOE is responsible for, and that are at risk for permanent removal. The first program is known as Head Start. The Head Start program provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to a plethora of low-income children and families.
The next program in jeopardy is known as Title 1. The Title 1 program helps provide funding in schools where a high percentage of students are from low-income families. The purpose of Title 1 funding is to help schools develop and establish programs that provide necessary resources to deserving students whose families cannot fully provide for them.
Another program is the IDEA program. This program ensures children with disabilities receive an appropriate education by imposing requirements on school districts and other local education agencies, to make all aspects and locations equally accessible and up to date.
Trump’s threat to terminate the DOE is also hugely worrisome for college students. One of the most prominent functions of the DOE are Pell Grants. According to a recent NCAN report, each year, nearly 7 million undergraduate students benefit from Pell Grant aid. So, if you’re a student (like me), or a parent of a student that is reliant on Pell Grant aid, the potential threat on Pell Grants should concern you, and to some extent, even disturb you.
It’s fair to say that all of these programs are important, and because of this, it’s also fair to say that any presidential candidate that doesn’t deem these programs as necessary may not be considered worthy of a vote. Make your opinion known and your voice heard by voting in the upcoming presidential election. Many futures depend on it!