President Donald Trump initiated the first steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education on March 20, aiming to transfer its responsibilities to states and other federal agencies, according to AP News. School of Education students have been among the hardest hit by these federal changes, and their reactions are mixed.
Trump’s executive order has caused major effects on federal workers, with nearly half of the Department’s staff being laid off.
Delaney Denton, a senior in the School of Public Affairs with a minor in the School of Education, shared concerns for her future in the job market since many federal and state workers have been laid off and are currently searching for jobs.
“Not only am I going to be competing against people that are graduating, but I’m competing against people who got laid off, I’m competing against all those essential workers,” Denton said. “It’s definitely changed my outlook, but I’m trying to stay optimistic.”
Rachel Hou and Victoria Allen, both sophomores in the College of Arts and Sciences and SOE, have also begun to seriously consider what their futures in the job market looks like. Hou and Allen both knew that they wanted to pursue a career in education for years.
Hou grew up in a family of educators, with her mother — a teacher herself — serving as her first role model. It was her mother’s passion for teaching that first sparked Hou’s interest in pursuing a career in education.
“I think it’s really cool to have a part in what our future’s going to be,” Hou said.
Hou hopes to begin her post-college career as a high school history teacher and then return to school and study education policy.
“I’ve always been adamant in my belief that people working in education policy should have experience in the classroom or in schools because it really gives perspective on who the policy is actually affecting,” Hou said.
Hou emphasized that the main goal of education policy is to work for the students and for the future of the world. She argues that the current administration’s handling of education in the United States is “really losing sight of the kids.”
At the beginning of Trump’s second term, Hou said she and many of her peers felt hopeless, but they soon realized that these changes made their passions and careers even more important.
“Going to my education classes, at first it felt a little pointless,” Hou said. “But then again, you realize that’s why it’s even more important now.”
Allen shared similar sentiments to those of Hou. Allen discovered she wanted to go into teaching after working at a summer camp throughout high school. Allen’s passion for history led her to pursue a double major in history and education and to consider a career in museum education.
When considering the cuts to the Department of Education and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Allen said that the uncertainty around the future of these organizations is frightening.
“Everything that is happening with [the Department of Education] is not deterring me but definitely making me look at other options regarding becoming a teacher,” Allen said.
Allen is especially concerned about the reformulation of funding to public schools and the effects that change will have on the students in those schools. She also emphasized the specific effects that cuts to the Department will have on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“This is heavily going to impact kids in the most negative way,” Allen said.
She added that these changes to the Department will limit resources that allow students to “learn in the way that’s best for them.”
While many SOE students are concerned about the changes to the Department of Education, not all of them have wanted to double down in the face of these cuts.
Denton was originally interested in potentially working in education policy or for the Department of Education, but has changed her career goals as a result of the Department’s recent cuts.
“It has really motivated my decision to pursue a law degree and I think, unfortunately, litigation in this field is going to become very important,” Denton said.
Denton expressed particular concerns for marginalized students, especially those in states with conservative legislatures.
“I don’t think the state that a kid is born in or lives in should determine whether or not they get extra time on a test if they have a disability,” Denton said. “Unfortunately, [that] could be a very real reality for people.”
Denton is originally from Pennsylvania, where her mother is a teacher. Coming from a swing state, Denton said she watched how her mother handled contentious school board elections and simultaneously cared for her students.
“Seeing someone that I know does her best to be a kind person to everyone and be a resource for everyone, no matter their background, affiliation or anything… Seeing her so stressed all the time… really motivated me to use my passion for policy to pursue this education minor and get involved.”
While the future of the Department of Education remains uncertain, students like Hou, Allen and Denton’s commitment to education and protecting future generations stays the same.
“It’s kind of a big deal teaching the next generation of people and citizens in the world,” Allen said. “That’s one of my favorite things about education is you just truly get to see the young minds of society grow and change.”
This article was edited by Cara Halford, Tyler Davis and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella, Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Hannah Langenfeld and Ella Rousseau.
