The argument for abolishing the U.S. Department of Education is gaining traction due to its ongoing failures in various areas. Recent events and court rulings have intensified these calls, with many believing that the Department is more of a hindrance than a benefit to American education.
Legal Hurdles in Student Loan Forgiveness
The Biden administration’s efforts to relieve student loan debt have repeatedly hit legal roadblocks. The Supreme Court and lower courts have found significant issues with the administration’s attempts to shift the burden from borrowers to taxpayers. According to a recent Newsweek article (2024), these legal challenges highlight the complications and inefficiencies within the Department of Education and bolster the argument for its abolition (1).
FAFSA Platform Problems
The recent overhaul of the FAFSA online platform aimed to streamline the process for students seeking financial aid but ended up being a technical disaster. Adam Harris, writer for The Atlantic, discusses how the platform’s glitches and usability issues left many students in limbo regarding their financial assistance status (2). This failure to provide a reliable system has further eroded trust in the Department of Education’s ability to manage critical educational tools.
Controversial Title IX Changes
Efforts by the Department of Education to redefine “sex” in federal law to include “sexual orientation and gender identity” have sparked widespread controversy. Several states have legally contested these changes, arguing they could undermine the integrity of sex-specific spaces and sports (3) (4) (5) (6) (7). These contentious policy shifts have fueled the debate over whether the Department is overreaching its mandate and should be dismantled, further supporting abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.
Persistent Performance Issues
Despite decades of effort and substantial funding, the Department of Education has struggled to close the achievement gap between students from different economic backgrounds. Academic performance metrics, such as reading and math scores, need to be higher. Despite significant investment, the persistent lack of progress raises questions about the Department’s effectiveness and supports the argument for considering its abolition (1).
Supreme Court Ruling and Future Implications
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to limit the deference given to federal agencies in interpreting ambiguous laws has significant implications for the Department of Education. This ruling could restrict the Department’s ability to implement broad policy changes without clear legislative backing, potentially curbing its influence. Many see this legal shift as a step towards reining in what they perceive as an overreaching and ineffective bureaucracy (1).
Conclusion
The U.S. Department of Education faces growing criticism for handling critical issues such as student loans, financial aid platforms, and controversial policy changes. These ongoing challenges and the lack of significant progress in improving educational outcomes have increased calls for abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether these arguments will lead to a substantial restructuring or the complete dissolution of the Department.
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Citations
- Butcher, J., & Burke, L. M. (2024). The Department of Education Is Making a Great Case for Its Own Abolition. Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from Newsweek.
- Harris, A. (2024, April 22). How the Biden Administration Messed Up FAFSA. The Atlantic. Retrieved from The Atlantic.
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. State of Louisiana et al. versus U.S. Dept of Education et al., No. 205659 (U.S. Dist, Ct. 2024). Court Docket.
- State of Tennessee, et al. v. Miguel Cardona, in his Official Capacity as Secretary of Education, et al., No. 104801 (E.D. Ky. 2023). Court Docket.
- Kansas, State of et al v. United States Department of Education et al, Docket No. 5:24-cv-04041 (D. Kan. May 14, 2024). Court Docket.
- State of Texas, et al. v. United States of America, et al., No. 07122024 (U.S. Dist. Ct. 2024). Court Docket.
- Carroll Independent School District v. United States Department of Education, et al., No. 390056 (N.D. Tex. 2024). Court Docket.