What is the future of secondary education in the United States of America?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
On Thursday, March 20, 2025 President Trump signed an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the department of Education. According to the visual above, in 2022 (the most recent year with data) what three states will be hit hardest by cuts to the Department of Education?
According to the visual above, what three cities will be hit hardest by cuts to the Department of Education?
Detroit (77% African-American) has the highest % of African-American population of all major U.S. cities. Mississippi (37% African-American) has the the highest % of African-American population of all states. According to the visual above, what portion of Detroit and Mississippi’s education budgets come from federal money?
Imagine your school or district lost half of its funding. How do you think these budget cuts will impact Detroit and Mississippi schools, and your own state and district schools?
Almost from the moment it was created in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education has faced calls for its elimination from conservatives, who have argued that it gives the federal government too much sway over what should be a state and local matter. At the Constitutional Convention battles were fought over state versus national power. Describe the two sides in the Constitutional Convention battle over the center of power.
What do today’s battles over the Department of Education say about who is winning the battle of federalism?
The Education department cannot be closed without the approval of Congress, which created it. But the Trump administration has already taken steps to narrow the agency’s authority and significantly cut its work force. President Trump and Elon Musk have taken aim at the Department of Education, cutting its staff in half and slashing its budget. While Congress has not pushed back against President Trump’s dismantling of the education, it seems unlikely that a vote to shut the department of Education would actually pass Congress. Why do you think that is?
Lawsuits about shutting the department of education will likely end up in the U.S. federal court system. How does the battle over the future of the department of education illustrate the concept of checks and balances?
Describe American public opinion about the Department of Education, as illustrated in the visual below,* and explain how that could impact Trump’s efforts to shutter the department?
Is education a good thing? For everyone? What do you think will be the overall consequence of the government’s attack on the government’s own Department of Education?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Read President Trump’s Education Department Executive Order then contact your U.S. congressional representative and U.S. Senators and ask them to explain their position on the attack on the department of education.
Get Creative
Imagine that the Department of Education was effectively shuttered by the Trump administration. Write an imaginary article for your school or local (if you have one) newspaper describing how these cuts would impact your community.
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