Department of Education

Explainer

The U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, D.C., pictured on February 21, 2021.
The U.S. Department of Education, Explained
There's a lot of talk—again—about eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Here's what it does and how it works.
View Explainer
Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, March 29, 2019.
Then-SBA Administrator Linda McMahon speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, March 29, 2019. Trump has tapped McMahon to serve as education secretary in his second term.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Federal Trump's Education Secretary Pick Is Linda McMahon, Former WWE CEO
McMahon led the Small Business Administration in Trump's first term and is co-chair of the president-elect's transition team.
Brooke Schultz, November 19, 2024
•
6 min read
A teenage girl from the back looks through the bars, the fenced barrier, at the White House in Washington, D.C.
iStock/Getty Images
Special Education How Trump's Policies Could Affect Special Education
The new administration's stance on special education isn't yet clear—but efforts to revamp federal policy could have ripple effects.
Mark Lieberman, November 18, 2024
•
13 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Howell, Mich.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Howell, Mich.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Can Trump Force Schools to Change Their Curricula?
Trump's bid to take money from schools that teach "critical race theory" or pass policies for transgender kids raises legal complexities.
Alyson Klein, November 14, 2024
•
9 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Video Trump’s Pledge to Ax the Education Department: Can He Do That?
Trump would need approval from Congress to dismantle the Education Department or change federal education policy.
Evie Blad & Lauren Santucci, November 14, 2024
•
1 min read
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and the owner of X, left, shakes hands with now President-elect Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal What Elon Musk's New Role in the Trump Administration Could Mean for Schools
Musk’s new role as a chief architect of Trump’s plan to slash and remake the federal government may have big implications for schools.
Alyson Klein & Lauraine Langreo, November 13, 2024
•
9 min read
A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school bathroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials will investigate the Oklahoma school district where Benedict died, according to a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education on March 1, 2024.
A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school restroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials determined the district was "deliberately indifferent to students' civil rights" based on its responses to reports of sexual harassment.
Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP
Federal Nex Benedict's District Was 'Indifferent to Students' Civil Rights,' Feds Find
Federal officials found an Oklahoma district responded inconsistently to sexual-harassment claims.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 13, 2024
•
5 min read
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga.
Donald Trump, now president-elect, speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga. The education world is eager to find out who he will appoint to be U.S. secretary of education in his second term.
Mike Stewart/AP
Federal Trump's Potential Picks for Education Secretary: What to Know
Who could be tapped to lead an agency the president-elect has pledged to abolish?
Alyson Klein, November 12, 2024
•
7 min read
The U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., pictured on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
The U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., pictured on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
Alyssa Schukar for Education Week
Federal Can Trump Really Dismantle the Department of Education?
Republicans have long threatened to axe the U.S. Department of Education, but doing so would be complicated.
Evie Blad, November 7, 2024
•
6 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, with Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
President-elect Donald Trump, left, with Vice President-elect JD Vance at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump's education policy priorities of expanding school choice, cutting federal education spending, and abolishing the Education Department have taken on new energy with his decisive victory Tuesday in the presidential election.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Trump's Push to Expand Choice, Nix the Ed. Dept. Takes on New Momentum
Trump’s decisive victory doused accelerant over his plans to dismantle the Education Department and expand school choice.
Alyson Klein, November 6, 2024
•
5 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal How Trump’s Second Term Will Affect Education: 4 Things to Know
Trump has spent little time discussing education, but schools could feel the impact of his administration's policymaking and enforcement.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 6, 2024
•
4 min read
Image of a gavel
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts Court Battles and Presidential Election Have Big Implications for Title IX Regulation
A federal appeals court heard arguments about whether some provisions of the Title IX regulation should be allowed to go into wider effect.
Mark Walsh, October 30, 2024
•
4 min read
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos listens at left as President Donald Trump speaks during a round table discussion at Saint Andrew Catholic School on March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos listens at left as President Donald Trump speaks during a round table discussion at Saint Andrew Catholic School on March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The education policies Trump pursued in his first term offer clues for what a second Trump term would look like for K-12 schools.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal Trump's K-12 Record in His First Term Offers a Blueprint for What Could Be Next
In his first term, Trump sought to significantly expand school choice, slash K-12 spending, and tear down the U.S. Department of Education.
Alyson Klein, October 28, 2024
•
11 min read
President Donald Trump, right, arrives in a classroom at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, Fla., on March 3, 2017.
President Donald Trump, right, arrives in a classroom at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, Fla., on March 3, 2017.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP
Federal Who Could Be Donald Trump's Next Education Secretary?
Trump must decide if he wants someone with a "proven track record" or a "culture warrior," says a former GOP Hill staffer.
Alyson Klein, October 15, 2024
•
9 min read
Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. During her visit, Harris announced plans to upgrade public schools with clean energy efficient facilities and transportation.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington on Monday, April 4, 2022. Education advocates and experts aligned with Democrats are hoping the vice president would appoint someone with management expertise, like a governor, to lead the Education Department.
Susan Walsh/AP
Federal Who Could Be Kamala Harris' Education Secretary?
Democrats are looking for a secretary with strong management experience, perhaps a former governor.
Alyson Klein, October 14, 2024
•
9 min read
Load More ▼