In a move that could have profound implications for public education across the United States, President Donald Trump’s latest executive order calls for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The order, which threatens to withhold federal funding from K-12 schools unless they certify the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices, has raised significant concerns among educators, lawmakers, and local leaders.
The Trump administration has set a tight deadline for schools to comply, demanding that they submit certification within just 10 days. The stakes are high, as federal funds—though a smaller portion of public school budgets—account for crucial support for low-income, disabled, and at-risk students. According to the Associated Press, federal funding typically constitutes about 14% of many states’ public school budgets, making the loss of such resources potentially devastating.
In Louisiana, for example, federal funds are an integral part of local school budgets. In 2024, districts like Iberia Parish received $52.1 million, Lafayette Parish received $101 million, and St. Landry Parish received $79 million in federal assistance. Without these funds, districts could face significant challenges in maintaining essential programs and services for vulnerable student populations.
Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education, has voiced support for a more state-driven approach to education. Brumley, who advocates for greater local control, believes that dismantling the DOE could offer states like Louisiana more freedom to craft educational policies that best suit the needs of their students. “We’re trying to go back to the basics—teaching kids to read and do math,” Brumley said in a recent interview. He emphasized that eliminating the DOE could provide an opportunity for local leaders to allocate resources in ways that more directly benefit their communities.
However, the potential removal of the DOE raises concerns for many, particularly those who rely on federal oversight and programs. Louisiana Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields, a staunch supporter of public education, has strongly criticized the executive order. Fields warned that eliminating federal education programs could take the nation’s education system backward, particularly in states that already struggle to provide quality K-12 education. “We need the DOE to track school progress and ensure that issues are detected and addressed. Without that oversight, it could harm our students,” Fields said.
Brumley, on the other hand, suggested that federal funds should flow directly to states, bypassing the DOE. This would allow local leaders, he argued, to make more informed and effective decisions about how to allocate taxpayer dollars. Despite this, questions remain about how such a shift would work in practice and whether it would leave some districts more vulnerable than others.
While the executive order does not immediately eliminate the DOE, it sets the stage for what could become a significant overhaul of the federal role in education. Full dismantling of the department would require congressional approval, and the situation remains fluid as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle weigh in. As of now, the DOE has assured that key programs like Pell Grants, student loans, and funding for students with special needs will continue, despite the broader changes.
As discussions unfold in Washington, the potential long-term effects of Trump’s executive order are unclear. Local education leaders, lawmakers, and educators are bracing for the potential shift in the education landscape, uncertain about how the loss of federal oversight and funding could impact schools, students, and educators across the country. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether the administration’s plan will succeed and what its consequences will be for public education in the U.S.