Trump’s plan to shut down the U.S. Department of Education is causing concern, especially in states like New Jersey, where schools depend on federal money.
He says states should have full control over their education systems, but many school officials, teachers, and parents are worried about what this could mean for students.
If the department is shut down, it’s not clear what will happen to the billions of dollars in education funding that come from the federal government each year.
New Jersey gets about $1 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools every year, which helps pay for teachers, classroom resources, special education, and programs for low-income students.
If the federal government takes that money away, schools must figure out how to compensate for the loss.
That could mean cutting staff, increasing class sizes, or reducing support for students who need extra help.
Many districts in the state already struggle with tight budgets, and losing this money would make things even harder.
A major concern is Title I funding, which is meant to help schools in low-income areas.
If the federal government cuts these funds by 25%, as some Republicans in Congress have suggested, New Jersey would lose about $116 million.
This would hurt schools that serve students from poorer families, forcing them to cut teachers or programs.
Special education could also be affected, with the state at risk of losing around $115 million in IDEA funding.
This money helps schools pay for special education teachers, therapists, and other support services for students with disabilities.
Without it, schools might not be able to provide students with the same level of help.
Another pressing question is what happens to financial aid for college students.
In 2022, nearly 180,000 students in New Jersey received Pell Grants, which added up to $790 million.
Pell Grants help low-income students pay for college, and without them, many wouldn’t be able to afford tuition.
On top of that, New Jersey students borrowed nearly $1.5 billion in federal student loans that year, including:
- $380 million in subsidized loans
- $831 million in unsubsidized loans
- $303 million in Parent PLUS loans
If the Education Department is shut down, there is no clear plan for what will happen to these loans and grants.
Trump’s nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, has said financial aid won’t be affected, but many experts and lawmakers aren’t sure how that would work.
Another key concern is how civil rights protections for students will be affected.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights monitors schools to confirm they follow anti-discrimination laws and provide protection against harassment.
Each year, it handles thousands of complaints from students who say they were treated unfairly.
If the department is eliminated, this work could be moved to the Department of Justice.
However, experts worry that education-related civil rights cases won’t get the same attention there, which could make it harder for students to get help when they need it.
Trump’s push to eliminate the Education Department is connected to a policy plan called Project 2025, created by the conservative Heritage Foundation.
This plan suggests moving education funding to the Treasury Department and transferring civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department.
While Trump has tried to distance himself from the plan, many of his ideas match its recommendations.
Supporters believe this change would reduce government waste, but critics argue that it would create confusion and make it harder for schools and students to get the help they need.
For New Jersey, this is especially concerning because the state has a unique funding system that blends federal and state money.
For example, many districts combine federal Head Start money with state preschool funds to provide early childhood education.
If the federal money disappears, the whole system could be thrown off balance, and low-income families could face more challenges in accessing quality preschool education.
Schools are already struggling to cover rising costs, and losing federal funding would add fuel to the fire.
Another issue is Trump’s recent order to get rid of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and colleges.
The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter telling schools and universities they had 14 days to end these programs or risk losing federal funding.
Nonetheless, New Jersey law requires diversity education in schools, and that creates a direct conflict.
Since 2021, the state has required schools to teach about diversity and inclusion from kindergarten through 12th grade.
New Jersey also has long-standing laws requiring schools to teach about the Holocaust, genocide, and African American history.
Now, schools are stuck between following state law or complying with federal orders.
Colleges are facing the same issue.
Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway recently sent an email defending the university’s commitment to diversity.
He said Rutgers believes diversity is important for student success and that the school would keep an eye on the legal impact of these federal orders.
Rutgers even created a website to track the Trump administration’s education-related actions.
Meanwhile, some universities, including Princeton, have already changed their policies on transgender athletes in response to new federal rules.
Another problem with shutting down the Education Department is that it would also cut funding for education research.
The department funds important studies through the Institute of Education Sciences, which helps track student performance, literacy rates, and learning gaps.
Recently, the department canceled several research contracts, raising concerns about what will happen to education data in the future.
The National Center for Education Statistics has already reported that reading levels among fourth graders have dropped since the pandemic.
Without federal research funding, states might not have the information they need to fix these problems.
The biggest worry for school districts in New Jersey is how to make up for lost federal funding.
State and local governments might have to raise taxes or cut other services to keep schools running.
Certain school leaders are frustrated, saying it’s hard to plan for the future with so much uncertainty.
But others believe legal battles are coming, as New Jersey and the federal government seem to be headed for a major fight over education policy.
Trump and his supporters argue that shutting down the Education Department would reduce government waste, but critics say it would actually make things worse.
The department is responsible for overseeing that education funds are used correctly and allocated to the right places.
If eliminated, states would have to take over responsibilities for which they may not be prepared.
Elon Musk, recently appointed head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been looking for ways to cut education jobs.
Experts argue that removing experienced officials could lead to mismanagement of federal funds.
Undoubtedly, Trump’s plan to shut down the Education Department is one of the biggest education policy changes in years.
If it happens, New Jersey’s schools, colleges, and students will feel the effects in many ways, possibly for decades.
