By Ema Bojaxhi, Staff Writer
With the threat of removing the Department of Education, students across the country are grappling with what this means for their future. Some worry about losing financial aid, while others fear that education quality will depend too much on where they live. For many, this decision could widen the gap between well-funded schools and those already struggling to provide basic resources.
“It just feels like, without some kind of national standard, education is going to become a total lottery,” says Wasif Khalid, a sophomore. “If every state gets to make its own rules, some kids will have great schools with tons of resources, while others will be stuck in underfunded classrooms just because of where they happen to live. That’s just not fair. We need a system that gives everyone a fair shot, not just the ones who got lucky.”
Wasif’s concern is echoed by many students, particularly those from lower-income areas who rely on federally funded programs to bridge gaps in educational resources. Without federal oversight, states will have more freedom to allocate funding, which could make these disparities even worse.
Sherina Sen, junior, shares similar concerns. “This is just going to make education even more unfair than it already is. Some schools have way more resources than others, and without some kind of oversight, that gap is only going to grow. What happens if the school loses funding? Will we still have AP classes? Will our best teachers leave for better-paying jobs somewhere else? It just feels like students are the ones who are going to pay the price for this decision.”
Teachers also have strong opinions on the issue. Ms. Casper, a U.S. government teacher, emphasizes the importance of understanding what the Department of Education does. “One of the big things people need to understand is that the Department of Education does not decide our curriculums. There’s a lot of noise out there about ‘parental choice’ and ‘national curriculums,’ but that’s not what the Department of Education oversees. Citizens who are concerned about what their kids are learning need to take that up with their states.”
Beyond funding and curriculum, the Department of Education has played a key role in protecting students’ rights, especially for those with disabilities or facing discrimination. Many worry that without federal oversight, there won’t be a consistent way to ensure students receive necessary accommodations. While some believe the change may not have an immediate impact on the majority of students, others worry about those who rely on federal protections. “I don’t think most students will notice if the Department of Education is cut,” Ms.Casper continues. “But there are some very vulnerable students who need protection for their rights to an education, and those students and their families may feel it the most.”
As the government decides whether to get rid of the federal Department of Education, students, teachers, and families are left with more questions than answers. Will funding disparities get worse? What will happen to financial aid? And most importantly, will students be the ones who bear the greatest burden of this decision? For many, the uncertainty ahead only deepens existing concerns about inequality in education