Education at Risk

What if the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) were dismantled or ceased to exist? It would significantly impact public, private, and charter schools in Ohio, as well as across the country. Since the Department of Education oversees federal education funding, civil rights enforcement, and education standards, its removal would lead to changes in how education policies are administered at the state and local levels. As of last September, the U.S. Department of Education employed approximately 4,209 people, making it the smallest Cabinet-level agency in terms of staff size. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown: 

1. Employee Count: The Department of Education has around 4,209 employees. 

2. Cabinet-Level Agency: The Education Department has the fewest employees of any Cabinet-level agency. 

3. Historical Context: The department’s workforce has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 4,930 in 2000. 

4. Budget: The department manages a budget of approximately $268 billion. 

5. Key Functions: The department’s responsibilities include establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, distributing and monitoring those funds, and collecting data on America’s schools. 

Public Schools in Ohio 

Public schools rely heavily on federal funding, which supports programs aimed at improving education for underserved populations. The federal department provides roughly $910 million in Pell Grants for underprivileged students. Overall, it provides $1.5 billion to Ohio schools through programs like Title 1 to help low-income and special needs families. Governor DeWine stated that in Ohio, if the money is received by the state from the federal government, he will make sure that Title 1 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) money are priorities. Governor DeWine’s budget this year also cuts about $100 million from their funding, while providing half a billion for the private school voucher system often called “school choice.” 

Just last year, the GOP leadership in Ohio sent roughly $1 billion in public dollars to private schools. Families in Ohio can get thousands of dollars to send their children to a nonpublic school. This year, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, is looking to slash at least $650 million in public education spending in this General Assembly’s budget, arguing that private schools are better than public schools. 

Public schools rely heavily on federal funding, which supports programs aimed at improving education for underserved populations. 

• Loss of Federal Funding 

Programs like Title I (supporting low-income students), IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and Pell Grants could lose funding or be left to the discretion of individual states. 

Ohio received over $1.5 billion in federal education funding in recent years, which supports K-12 programs, special education, and nutrition services. 

• Reduced Oversight of Equity and Civil Rights 

The DOE enforces federal laws related to equity and civil rights in education. Without this oversight, marginalized student populations (students with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income families) may face greater disparities. 

Ohio would need to create its own regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with existing civil rights protections. 

• Curriculum and Standards Variability 

States would have more autonomy over curriculum, assessment standards, and teacher certification. 

Ohio might modify or eliminate Common Core Standards or change state assessments, leading to inconsistencies across districts. 

Charter Schools in Ohio 

Charter schools, which operate with public funding but with greater autonomy, could face unique challenges. 

• Funding Gaps 

Federal funding through programs like the Charter Schools Program (CSP) could disappear or be left to state control, impacting the establishment and growth of charter schools. 

Charter schools may need to rely more on state and local funds, which are often stretched thin. 

• Increased State Regulation 

Without federal guidelines, Ohio could either increase or reduce regulatory oversight of charter schools. 

Flexibility in innovation and teaching models may 17 be impacted depending on Ohio’s approach to charter school governance. 

Private Schools in Ohio 

Private schools generally operate independently of federal oversight but still receive some benefits. 

• Loss of Federal Programs for Low-Income Students 

Private schools that participate in federally funded programs such as Title I or special education services under IDEA may lose funding. Low-income students who benefit from these programs could be disproportionately affected. 

• Potential Expansion of Voucher Programs 

With a shift toward state control, Ohio may expand school choice and voucher programs that allow public funds to be used for private and religious schools. However, expanded vouchers could lead to reduced funding for traditional public schools. 

STATE RESPONSE AND AUTONOMY 

If the DOE is dismantled, Ohio would assume greater control over education policy, funding, and enforcement. Here are some potential Pros and Cons: 

Potential Pros: 

Increased flexibility in setting education policy. 

Ability to tailor curriculum to state needs. 

Potential Cons: 

Greater disparities between affluent and underfunded districts. Reduced protections for marginalized communities. Increased financial strain on state and local governments. 

Ohio’s approach to filling the void left by the DOE would largely determine whether these changes lead to innovation or inequities in the education system. To further complicate matters, there are still many questions regarding how states and local districts will acquire these funds if the department is dismantled. US Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) in November 2024 introduced the “Returning Education to the States Act”. This act is designed and proposed to eliminate the Department of Education and redistribute all critical federal programs to other US departments. Here are the departments that may be affected if congress approves the dismantling of the department of education and if they approve the Senator Rounds Act: 

Department of the Interior 

Native American-Serving Institutions Programs 

Alaska Native Education Equity Program 

American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program 

Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities 

Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program 

Native Hawaiian Education 

Special Programs for Indian Children 

Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Program 

Impact Aid Programs 

Department of the Treasury 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program 

Federal Family Education Loan Program 

Federal Perkins Loan Program 

Federal Pell Grant Program 

Health Education Assistance Loan Program 

Education Sciences Reform Act 

Department of Health and Human Services 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 

American Printing House for the Blind 

Helen Keller Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults 

Federal Real Property Assistance Program 

Special Education Grants 

Department of Labor 

All Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education programs 

National Technical Institute for the Deaf 

Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program 

Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants 

Department of State 

Fulbright-Hays Program 

There are many questions and “what if’s” that still remain unanswered and are deeply rooted in politics. There will be many individuals that will argue that the elimination of the department of education provides more opportunities to families as it relates to school choice while also downsizing and reducing overspending by the department. If that is the case, one might think that distributing these programs to other federal departments only shifts the funds while adding new responsibilities to a department without the expertise and knowledge to address the issues at hand. Inevitably, those departments would either have to rehire those individuals that lost jobs into their agency or train current employees on their new responsibilities.

So will that save funds? Will this delay further complicate or help the attempt to adjust the budget? Will unemployment rates increase for those individuals leaving the department at the federal and local levels if funds aren’t available? Will there be delays in the processing of essential data and payments when and if Congress approves this mandate? With so many questions left to be asked and answered, what can you do to make your voice heard?! Send emails to your local representatives, school superintendents, legislators, and governor regarding how these changes will affect you now and your children in the future! Remember, when there is change, there will always be disruption, but don’t let this disruption be a distraction!