The Department of Education is a federal agency that is responsible for overseeing public education in America. This department is in charge of ensuring that all students have access to a top-quality education no matter where they live. However, there is discourse on whether or not the department does its job effectively.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the department, we must look at when it was formed, why it was formed, and what it does. The first department of education dates back to 1867; its main goal was to ensure civil rights, but it only lasted a year before being demoted to an office. However, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter re-established the department; this time its function was to ensure equal access to education. The department is responsible for managing the federal student loan program, grants for K-12 schools, collecting statistics on staffing and crime, and enforcing civil rights in federally funded schools.
The department consists of 4,400 employees and a budget of 68 billion dollars. This budget goes toward funding programs like the ESSA, IDEA, and student loan grants. Part A of the ESSA, or Every Student Succeeds Act, requires supplemental federal funding to all states so they can secure a fair, high-quality education for all students. 63% of public school students are eligible for the funds from this program. This program has been a crucial part of addressing funding and opportunity gaps between low-income students and their wealthier peers. This program also supports teachers because it provides essential resources for districts to aid and motivate teachers in schools that are difficult to staff. In the past few years, 29% of teachers at high-poverty schools have quit due to poor working conditions and a large workload. It is well known that teachers are often underpaid, but the department of education is not to blame. Teacher salaries are decided at a district level. Districts receive federal, state, and local funds. So, this specific program of the Department of Education is effective.
The IDEA program, or Individuals with Disabilities Act, provides 15 billion dollars to support students with disabilities. This program provides funding to over 7 million students in America. This law makes a free, fair public education for all eligible disabled students. This program only receives 16% of the federal share, and dismantling the Department of Education will only lower that share. This program of the department is not as effective as it could be, but it will be even less so if it is shut down.
A major part of this department is the distribution of federal student loans, Pell Grants, and loan repayment/forgiveness programs. 30% of college students rely on these student loans to pay for their education.
It’s a common misconception that the Department of Education controls most of the education work. Many people claim that “education needs to go back to the states”; however, most of it is already there. The state government creates academic standards, teacher certifications, graduation requirements, and curriculum and distributes funds through tax mechanisms. Overall, the Department of Education is definitely effective in more than one way. It definitely has room for improvement and should be altered in some way, but getting rid of it completely is not a good solution.
