https://blackgirlnerds.com/the-cost-of-cutting-education-how-minority-students-could-lose-out/

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump attempted to eliminate the Department of Education (ED) by signing an executive order. This action could potentially put thousands of students in jeopardy.

Trump has criticized the ED for failing students, teaching misinformation, and pushing alternative agendas. Yet dismantling this federal department could alter the way millions of minorities access education.

What Does the Department of Education Do? 

One argument in support of shutting down the ED is to give more power to state and local governments. However, states already hold the most power when it comes to education.

In the U.S., states and local communities are mostly in charge of education, handling everything from setting up schools to deciding what is taught. They also provide the bulk of the funding, with about 92% of elementary and secondary school money coming from non-federal sources. The federal government only contributes about 8% and provides aid when there’s a critical need. Think of the ED as the grandparents of education. They only step in when needed and send money on special occasions.

Since its start in 1979, the ED has aimed to support equal access to and improve the quality of education nationwide. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to help students succeed and prepare for a global world by making education excellent and accessible to everyone.

They do this in two key ways. First, they lead national conversations about improving education, sharing new discoveries, and helping communities solve tough problems. Second, they run a variety of programs, from preschool to advanced research, to ensure everyone has access to quality education and to promote excellence.

Supporting College Students

In support of their mission, they also work with Federal Student Aid to award over $120 billion a year in grants, low-interest loans, and work-study funds to around 13 million students. One of their biggest grants is the Federal Pell Grant, which helps low- and moderate-income undergraduate students.

Additionally, ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) manages federal student loan balances. This includes establishing regulations for loan programs, working with loan servicers, and administering programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

When it comes to the national budget, last year the department allocated less than 2% of the federal budget, which was about $238 billion.

Now, imagine there was no entity specifically established to help students pay for college or help low-income children have access to education. What impact would that have on our communities?

How Dismantling the ED Would Impact Public Schools

No ED would mean that funding for public schools would be fully in the hands of state and local districts. This has its risks and advantages depending on the needs of each state.

Most states piece together money from local, state, and federal sources to pay for education. The federal government chips in through programs like Title I, which provides financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families, along with special education programs and other grants.

With no ED, there’s a chance that other government departments would be in charge of distributing funds. Another possibility is that funding might solely come from state and local communities. The challenge with that is that not all states have the same resources and means to fund schools equally.

Some schools prioritize those with more low-income families, non-native English speakers, and students with disabilities. Yet many states rely on property taxes to fund education. This means that neighborhoods with high property value often receive more money, while more impoverished neighborhoods struggle to meet the needs of their students.

Beyond financial support, students’ rights could also be in jeopardy. Currently, the ED protects the rights of students by reinforcing laws such as Title VI, which prohibits racial discrimination in federally funded programs, and Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination. Without a federal entity enforcing these laws, it opens the opportunity for racial discrimination and hate crimes that may not be adequately addressed.

Impact on Financial Aid and Student Loans

The impact on higher education can’t be overlooked. The Pell Grant is one of the largest federally funded financial aid programs for college students. Almost 60% of its recipients are Black students. Without the ED, this grant and other financial programs may cease to exist or be under the control of another department.

Students who have received student loans would also be affected. Did you know that student loan debt is one of the federal government’s biggest financial assets, totaling around $1.6 trillion? Having this role disappear or be handed off to another government department can lead to confusion in loan allocations and repayments.

Not only this, but new management of federal financial aid could lead to fraud and abuse in federal aid programs, something the ED consistently works to prevent.

Is This the Best Choice for Our Schools?

Ultimately, if you live in an impoverished neighborhood, are low income, someone with disabilities, a veteran, or rely on financial aid or student loans to pay for college, your life could be drastically affected if the ED no longer exists.

Fortunately, no action can legally be taken until Congress approves or disapproves of this executive order. So, if you would like the ED to keep helping those in need, you can write to Congress and tell them that the ED needs to stay.

The post The Cost of Cutting Education: How Minority Students Could Lose Out appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.