Undercurrents Inez Stepman: The Department of Education deserves to die
Mar 21, 2025
Inez Stepman, an education policy expert and contributor to the Independent Women's Forum, joins the conversation to challenge the relevance of the Department of Education. She supports Trump’s executive order to close it, claiming it has only led to bureaucratic bloat without benefitting students. Stepman argues that shifting control to states may reduce costs and improve outcomes. The discussion critiques federal policies, revealing how they have failed to address educational disparities despite increased funding, and explores the implications for students and schools.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Minimal Impact on Students
- Closing the Department of Education won't significantly impact daily school operations.
- The department primarily manages bureaucracy, not teachers or curriculum.
Department's Main Functions
- The Department of Education's main activities are administering student loans and interpreting civil rights laws.
- These interpretations often lead to compliance burdens for schools, like discipline policies.
Influence on Curriculum
- The Department of Education doesn't set curriculum but influences it through grants.
- These grants often promote DEI and gender ideology programs, totaling around a billion dollars under the Biden administration.