KQED's Forum What Happens to the Department of Education After Trump’s Cuts?
Jul 23, 2025
Jill Tucker, a K-12 education reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, Noliwe Rooks, chair of Africana Studies at Brown University, and Michael J. Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, delve into the significant implications of budget cuts to the Department of Education. They discuss the historical context of these cuts, their impact on local schools, and the troubling future for civil rights oversight. The conversation also critiques the tension between federal and local control, emphasizing the need for a focus on educational equity and community-driven solutions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump's Cuts Impact DOE Functions
- The Trump administration has drastically cut the Department of Education's staff, nearly halving it since the administration began.
- These cuts and funding freezes cause confusion and chaos for local school districts trying to plan for teacher hires and programs.
Civil Rights Office Staff Layoffs Harm Students
- The Department of Education's Civil Rights Office once protected students' rights, including investigating discrimination complaints.
- Since staff reductions, tens of thousands of complaints have stalled with no one available to process them, risking students' protections.
Federal Education Role Rooted in Civil Rights
- The federal role in education began after the Civil War to ensure schooling for poor and newly freed Black Americans amid resistance from states.
- The Department of Education aimed to provide equity and civil rights guidance, balancing states' rights vs. federal oversight.