President-elect Donald Trump’s call to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education may sound like a bold move toward decentralizing control and restoring local power. But for Wisconsin’s public schools, it’s a risky proposition that could destabilize the very foundation of our education system.
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to resources for K-12 schools and higher education institutions. Without it, Wisconsin could face significant challenges that would further deepen the divide between wealthy and underfunded districts, particularly in rural areas.
Federal funds, including Title I aid for low-income schools and special education funding, are critical to Wisconsin’s educational system. These programs help ensure that schools with the most need are able to offer a fair and equal education for all students. If Trump’s plan to eliminate the department comes to fruition, this funding could be at risk, forcing local districts to pick up the slack.
In a state where education funding is already a hot-button issue, this would likely lead to budget cuts, teacher layoffs or tax increases to cover the loss. Low-income students, students of color and those in rural areas would be hit hardest, losing access to programs and support that help level the playing field.
Moreover, eliminating the department would create a patchwork of state and local education policies, potentially leading to a fragmented educational experience for Wisconsin’s students. National standards on testing, teacher qualifications and school safety regulations would vanish, leaving each state to determine its own rules.
This could create a situation where students in Wisconsin’s wealthier districts continue to receive high-quality education, while those in underfunded areas are left behind. Inconsistent policies would also make it harder for families to navigate the educational system and ensure that their children are receiving a fair education.
The impact on higher education would also be felt across the state. Many Wisconsin students rely on federal student aid, including Pell Grants and student loans, to attend college. If the Department of Education is dismantled, tuition rates could skyrocket, and colleges may become less accessible for low-income students.
Furthermore, the department enforces Title IX protections for students against discrimination, ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, are treated equally. Without this protection, Wisconsin’s colleges and universities could face increased legal challenges and potential violations of students’ rights.
Proponents of the plan argue that eliminating the Department of Education would give states and local communities more control over their educational systems. They claim that federal oversight stifles innovation and imposes a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t work for every state.
Advocates for local control, including Trump’s supporters, believe communities have a better understanding of their needs. They also argue that federal overreach has led to the politicization of education, with national mandates like Common Core stifling local decision-making.
While this argument holds some merit, it ignores the larger issues of equity that exist within Wisconsin’s education system. The federal government’s involvement ensures that low-income districts and rural areas have access to the same resources as wealthier, more urban areas. Local control can work well for some districts, but it can also widen the gap for those that need support the most. Rather than eliminating the Department of Education, a better approach would be to reform it, making it more responsive to the needs of local communities while still ensuring that equity and accessibility remain at the forefront of educational policy.
Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education is a dangerous gamble for Wisconsin’s students and educators. The risks of cutting off federal funding, creating fragmented policies and undermining higher education outweigh the potential benefits of local control.
If we truly want to ensure that every student in Wisconsin has access to a high-quality education, we must look at ways to strengthen, not dismantle, the institutions that support it. Our students deserve better than the uncertainty that would come from eliminating the very agency that guarantees their right to an equitable education.
Maya Morvis is a sophomore studying journalism and political science. Do you agree that the Department of Education is necessary for Wisconsin schools? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
