Trump’s wrecking ball has reached the Department of Education. On March 20, Trump signed an executive order, proclaiming that he was returning education to the states. The states already control education, not the feds, but additional support at the federal level matters. 13.7% of the dollars spent on education come from this department, but states and school districts have some control over them. (usafacts.org) And that means that the vast majority of funding, 86.3%, comes from state and local revenue. “The department has no power over what’s taught in schools.” (npr.org)

This action violates the separation of powers. Only Congress has the authority to abolish a cabinet-level agency, yet Trump and his minions have already begun to dismantle it. (nytimes.com)

Most Americans don’t seem to have a clue about what the Department does or why it matters.

“ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” (www.ed.gov)

While the Department serves many valuable functions, my immediate concerns include Title I, which provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts/schools with a high percentage of children from low-income families, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides money to districts to support the learning of students with disabilities. (time.com)

Without the Department’s authority and funding, who will protect students with disabilities? Enforce Individualized Education Programs? Ensure that schools don’t refuse accommodations to kids who need them? Ensure equal access to education through Title IX and Title VI programs? Support districts with high poverty levels? Oversee federal student loans? Investigate discrimination? Support educational research?

And the vaunted huge cost savings? The Department of Education employed around 4,200 employees last September, according to the Office of Personnel Management, which accounted for about 0.2% of overall federal employment last year—the smallest staff of the 15 Cabinet agencies. (time.com) It accounts for a mere 4.0% of the $6.8 trillion in overall federal spending. (usafacts.org2)

I fear that the administration’s shock and awe approach is far too effective, that we mere mortals struggle to keep up with all of the actions and cannot stop them in time because the law moves more slowly than the administration’s flurry of orders. This problem is even more serious when Americans don’t understand what’s at stake, when their lack of familiarity with an agency allows them to minimize its importance.

Education matters. It’s the best route to self-sufficiency for individuals and for global competitiveness. The Department of Education matters. It supports accessible, quality education. The impact of its dismantling is terrifying.

Fight back. Call your congresspeople, write letters to the editor, talk to neighbors. The power lies with us only if we choose to use it.