U.S. administration withdraws from educational policy-making under Trump's leadership
The Trump administration's policies have significantly reshaped the landscape of federal education, impacting various aspects such as funding, student loans, private K-12 education, and the Department of Education workforce.
One of the most controversial moves by the administration was the withholding of nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funds that Congress had already approved for K-12 education programs. This decision, which began around July 2025, created widespread uncertainty and financial strain for school districts and states, particularly those with high concentrations of low-income, minority, and English learner students.
The impact was immediate and severe. Organizations like the Laclede Literacy Council in Missouri had to lay off nearly all staff due to lack of funding, and summer camps lost support mid-session. The abrupt freeze on funding jeopardized already planned school budgets and forced districts to consider cutting critical services or finding alternative funds at the last minute.
In terms of student loans, the Trump administration passed a significant tax and spending megabill introducing reforms to student loan repayment processes starting July 1, 2026. The bill terminates existing repayment plans for new loans and replaces them with only two plans: a standard repayment plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan based on income. While these changes aim to simplify and better target aid to struggling borrowers, they are currently subject to legal challenges.
The megabill also broadened school choice options, which generally benefits private K-12 education by potentially increasing funding and access through vouchers or tax credit programs. This shift in education policy is seen as encouraging alternatives to traditional public schools by advocates from both sides.
The administration's approach—holding back billions in funds and pausing grant awards—has implied disruption within the Department of Education, affecting department operations and morale. The Trump administration also sought to reduce the Department of Education’s scope, exemplified by shifting career and technical education (CTE) programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor.
About half of the Education Department's workforce (1,300 employees) will be fired as of August 1 in what's called a "reduction in force." In a dissent to a recent Supreme Court decision, Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the majority for essentially allowing Trump to break the law that created the Education Department.
The Department of Health and Human Services has been tipped to handle special education services if the Education Department is dismantled. The Education Department manages the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program, investigates discrimination, and provides research and data on US student performance, distributing about 10% of spending on K-12 education in the US, about $28 billion per year. Most education funding comes from states.
The Trump administration has been pressuring states, colleges, and universities to drop diversity programs, and has declared war on Harvard and Columbia universities over diversity efforts and allegations of antisemitism. The administration's policies have also faced legal challenges, with states suing to receive the $6.8 billion in funding meant for immigrant students, after-school and summer programs, and teacher hiring in low-income areas.
The US government has been involved in public education since the 1800s, but the Department of Education was not created until the Carter administration. Trump has repeatedly promised to abolish the Department of Education, a goal that conservatives, including Ronald Reagan and the 1996 Republican party platform, have been trying to achieve for decades.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, July). Trump administration withholds billions in education funds. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-education-schools-budget-government-and-politics-378d51f6745f4d22f9a799b498f22396
[2] Bialik, K. (2026, July). Trump tax bill brings big changes for student loans. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2026/07/01/trump-tax-bill-brings-big-changes-for-student-loans/
[3] Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2025, August). Trump administration's education funding cuts threaten vulnerable students and school staff. Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org/research/education/trump-administrations-education-funding-cuts-threaten-vulnerable-students-and
[4] Education Week. (2026, February). Trump administration shifts career and technical education programs to the Department of Labor. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/management/trump-administration-shifts-career-and-technical-education-programs-to-the-department-of-labor/2026/02
[5] The Washington Post. (2025, August). Trump administration's education policies face legal challenges. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/08/01/trump-administrations-education-policies-face-legal-challenges/
- The administration's moves in politics have significantly altered the landscape of federal education, shaping areas like funding, student loans, private K-12 education, and the department's workforce.
- The withholding of $6.8 billion in education funds created uncertainty and financial strain for schools, particularly those with low-income, minority, and English learner students.
- The Laclede Literacy Council faced staff layoffs due to funding cuts, causing summer camps to lose support mid-session.
- The freeze on federal education funds disrupted planned school budgets, forcing districts to consider cuts or finding alternative funds.
- The Trump administration's tax and spending megabill introduced reforms to student loan repayment processes, terminating existing plans and replacing them with two options.
- New student loan repayment plans aim to simplify and target aid to struggling borrowers but face legal challenges.
- The megabill broadened school choice options, potentially benefiting private K-12 education through vouchers or tax credit programs.
- The shift in education policy encourages alternatives to traditional public schools.
- The administration's approach has caused disruption within the Department of Education, affecting operations and morale.
- The Trump administration sought to reduce the Department of Education's scope by shifting career and technical education (CTE) programs from the Education Department to the Department of Labor.
- Around 1,300 employees from the Education Department's workforce will be fired as of August 1.
- The Education Department's dissolution could see the Department of Health and Human Services handle special education services.
- The Education Department manages the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program, investigates discrimination, and provides research on US student performance.
- The Department of Education distributes about 10% of spending on K-12 education in the US annually, with most funds coming from states.
- The Trump administration has been pressuring states, colleges, and universities to drop diversity programs and declared war on universities over diversity efforts and allegations of antisemitism.
- The administration's policies face legal challenges, with states suing to receive funding meant for immigrant students and low-income areas.
- Online education has seen a surge in demand due to the administrative changes in federal education policies.
- The job market for educators has been impacted as schools face budget cuts and hiring freezes.
- The general news has been reporting extensively on the consequences of the Trump administration's education policies.
- Crime and justice issues have also arisen due to the funding cuts, with schools facing difficulty in providing safe environments and supporting students.
- Careers in education, policy, and legislation have been affected by the administration's policies, with many professionals looking to make a career shift.
- Productivity in education has decreased as a result of the disruption created by the administration's policies.
- Lifelong learning and self-development, including mindfulness practices, have become essential tools for educators to cope with the stress caused by these changes.
- In the sports world, professional athletes prioritizing personal growth during their career development have formed partnerships with education-focused organizations to support and inspire students facing challenges.
