For all you applauding President Trump and Elon Musk for tearing down the Department of Education, you all need to go back to school or even do a simple search on the ole interwebs because you have ZERO clue what the DOE actually does. And I really, really hope none of you have kids with IEPs or 504 plans, because you’re about to find out the hard way just how much this department does to protect their education.
Here’s a reality check on what the Department of Education actually does:
What the DOE DOES:
✅ Protects students with disabilities – Enforces IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and 504 plans under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Without this, schools could refuse accommodations to kids who need them.
✅ Ensures equal access to education – Enforces Title IX (protecting students from sex discrimination), Title VI(protecting students from racial discrimination), and laws ensuring English language learners and low-income students get a fair shot.
✅ Provides federal education funding – Sends billions to public schools, Title I schools (low-income students), special education programs, and Pell Grants for college students.
✅ Oversees federal student loans– Manages programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, and loan relief programs (yes, the ones you cheered for). And it’s said you’ll still be responsible for paying the loans you’ve already taken out regardless of if the DOE gets disbanded
✅ Holds schools accountable– Investigates discrimination, ensures civil rights laws are followed, and prevents fraud in higher education (like scam colleges that take your money and leave you with useless degrees).
✅ Supports teachers and education research – Funds initiatives to improve teaching methods, early childhood education, and STEM programs to keep our kids competitive globally.
What the DOE DOES NOT Do:
❌ Does NOT control what your kids learn – State and local school boards decide curriculum, textbooks, and what’s taught in history or science class. The DOE doesn’t force any particular agenda on schools.
❌ Does NOT run public schools – Schools are managed by states and local districts—NOT the federal government.
❌ Does NOT hire or fire teachers – Teacher salaries, hiring, and qualifications are determined by state laws and local school boards.
❌ Does NOT mandate Common Core – That’s a state decision. The DOE doesn’t force states to adopt any particular education standards.
❌ Does NOT regulate private schools – Private and religious schools operate independently, and while some federal protections apply, the DOE doesn’t dictate how they run.
❌ Does NOT set tuition prices for colleges – Public universities are funded by **state governments**, and they set their own tuition. The DOE only provides federal aid and loan programs.
So, congrats to all of you cheering for the **gutting of the one department that protects millions of kids, students with disabilities, college students, and teachers.** I just hope when reality smacks you in the face, you remember that you **applauded** taking away protections for your own children, neighbors, and future generations.
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