Fresh Air The Gutting Of The Department Of Education
52 snips
Mar 12, 2025 
Laura Meckler, a National education writer for the Washington Post, dives into the shocking 50% workforce cut at the Department of Education. She discusses the major repercussions for civil rights enforcement, student loans, and educational governance. David Bianculli, a TV critic, reviews the gripping historical drama A Thousand Blows, highlighting its exploration of Victorian London’s boxing world, and the intricate friendship at its core. Together, they tackle the implications of political shifts on education and the compelling narratives of their respective fields.
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Department of Education Responsibilities
- The Department of Education manages federal student aid, enforces civil rights laws in schools, and tracks student achievement.
- It also administers grants for high-poverty schools and students with disabilities.
Federal Overreach vs. Local Control
- Trump's rhetoric about local control contradicts his administration's efforts to influence school curricula from Washington.
- They argue that teaching about race and gender in certain ways violates civil rights laws, thus justifying federal intervention.
Impact of Moving the Office for Civil Rights
- Moving the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice wouldn't inherently change its function.
- The core issue is whether the department's actions diminish federal influence over schools or merely reshuffle responsibilities.
