District leaders are concerned about a number of federal programs that may vanish if the U.S. Department of Education is dismantled. Fortunately, schools shouldn’t expect enormous funding cuts, says one K12 think thank.
Regardless of whether President Donald Trump’s plan to dissolve the Department of Education succeeds, programs like Title I, IDEA and Perkins are popular among both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. These lawmakers vote for increases regardless of what the administration wants, according to recent insight from Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab.
Experts argue that if the department were to close, these programs would move to other agencies. These three programs were created before the department was established in 1980.
So, what does the future hold for education funding? Leaders should expect a shift in oversight of federal funds. States also shouldn’t expect to be ineligible for Title I if, for example, critical race theory is taught in their schools.
“Our guess is we’ll actually see a more hands-off approach to financial oversight,” reads Edunomics Lab’s briefing. It’s likely that we’ll see fewer financial audits, fines and requirements for corrective action.
“Whether behavior in states and districts changes is an open question.”
However, there are still several concerns to mention, including financial dysfunction in some school districts.
“State policies could help, including requirements for multi-year budget projections and minimum levels of fiscal reserves, as well as a set of triggers when districts overspend,” the analysis reads.
Catch up: What are Trump’s plans for K12 education?
A clash with Congress
As previously mentioned, Trump’s mission to abolish the department clashes with the reality that most of its spending is ordered by Congress. An executive order in the works will reportedly direct the secretary of education to begin dismantling the department, but closing the agency requires an act of Congress, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
While Trump has yet to release the order, he suggested it would be the first task of his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon.
“I want Linda to put herself out of a job,” said Trump.
As it stands, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. However, certain major legislation would require 60 votes, which means seven Democrats would have to hop on board. So far, Senate Democrats have indicated no interest in supporting Trump’s plan to shut down the department.
“I think I’d work with Congress,” said Trump. “We’d have to work with the teachers’ union because the teachers’ union is the only one that’s opposed to it.”
In a conversation with Reuters, President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten said her union would be happy to talk with Trump.
“States and local districts have long run public schools: we are very concerned this move would undermine and hurt, not help, the lives of millions of working and middle-class kids whose public education is improved by federal dollars,” she told Reuters.
