Rethinking the Department of Education: A Call for Reform, Not Abolition
The United States functioned effectively for two centuries without a federal Department of Education, and it’s reasonable to question whether its continued existence in its current form is truly serving the nation’s best interests. After 45 years of the department’s operation, tangible improvements in student achievement remain elusive. For example, reading proficiency among nine-year-olds is essentially unchanged from the levels observed in 1979, when the department was established. The stark reality is that the presence of a cabinet-level agency dedicated to education has not demonstrably improved student outcomes, enhanced the quality of schools, or strengthened academic performance overall. What it has done, however, is contributed to an unsustainable surge in education spending.
Reducing the department’s scope, perhaps by integrating some of its functions into other existing federal departments, could be a viable option. While such a change would require Congressional approval, it is unlikely to negatively impact students or the nation’s future prosperity. This perspective is offered by two former U.S. Secretaries of Education, who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, respectively, lending significant weight to the argument for re-evaluation.
However, a complete dismantling of the Department of Education, as some have suggested, would be a drastic step with potentially damaging consequences. While significant reforms are needed, certain vital programs and responsibilities currently housed within the department are too important to discard. It’s crucial to avoid a scenario where valuable assets are discarded in the pursuit of sweeping change.
The Department of Education performs three essential functions that warrant preservation, albeit with necessary improvements.
First, the department is responsible for producing "The Nation’s Report Card," a comprehensive assessment of student performance across the country. This report is compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, a unit within the department that gathers critical data, administers standardized tests, and provides the nation with a clear picture of student achievement in core subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, American history, civics, and science. This data collection and analysis aligns directly with the mandate Congress first assigned to the federal government in 1867: to collect statistics on education to "show the condition and progress of education in the several States and Territories." This information is vital to guiding the "establishment and maintenance of efficient school systems" and to promote education throughout the country. Maintaining this data collection and reporting function is crucial for informed decision-making in education policy.
Second, the Department of Education plays a vital role in redressing violations of students’ civil rights. This involves addressing genuine instances of discrimination, not simply pursuing "disparate impacts." Whether it involves ensuring that children with disabilities receive appropriate educational services, addressing instances where minority students are unfairly denied college admission, or combating harassment of Jewish or Muslim students on campus, the department has a responsibility to intervene and resolve these issues. While the Justice Department could theoretically assume this responsibility, its current workload makes it a less than ideal alternative. Protecting students’ civil rights is a fundamental aspect of ensuring equal educational opportunities.
Third, the Department of Education manages the distribution of federal funding for various programs and services in schools and colleges. While this system is in dire need of reform, the underlying function of providing financial support for education remains essential. A more effective approach would be to consolidate most K-12 programs into block grants to states, allowing for greater local control and flexibility in allocating resources.
In higher education, the Pell Grant program provides a model for effective financial aid. Pell Grants, which are essentially vouchers, enable needy students to attend the colleges of their choice. This approach has fostered competition and excellence in higher education. A similar system could be implemented in K-12 education, with federal scholarships following students to the accredited schools they choose. Such a system would reduce bureaucracy, foster competition, and empower parents to make the best educational decisions for their children.
The Department of Education is rife with inefficiencies and outdated practices that require reform. However, its core functions – data collection, civil rights enforcement, and financial assistance – are too important to abandon. The challenge lies in streamlining the department, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, and empowering states and parents to make informed decisions about education. The goal is not to dismantle the Department of Education but to transform it into a more effective and accountable agency that truly serves the needs of students and the nation as a whole.
