The $1.64 trillion financial portfolio is managed separately from the department's policy apparatus, the latter of which Trump has sought to wind down or reassign to other agencies. President Trump acknowledged that the massive loan balance was a complicating factor in his effort to shutter the agency.

Over the last three years, the head of a small charter school network that serves fewer than 1,000 students has taken home up to $870,000 annually, estimated to be the highest for any public school superintendent in the state and among the top in the nation.

Let's examine both sides of the argument, presenting cases for and against the dissolution of this federal agency in order to help you stay informed on why there are various perspectives.