In an exclusive interview with LittleAfrica News, education advocate Erika Donalds addressed the growing discussion around abolishing the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). As the chair of the Center for Educational Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, Donalds debunked misconceptions and outlined what dismantling the department would mean for students, parents, and educators.
Misconceptions and Federal Funding
Donalds emphasized that removing the USDOE does not result in defunding education. She explained that the federal DOE only accounts for about 10% of the total education funding in the country. Rather than eliminating these funds, she argued that abolishing the DOE would allow the funds to be redistributed directly to states, school districts, and students, thereby reducing administrative waste and minimizing federal overreach.
She also reassured parents and educators that key programs like Pell Grants, Title I school funding, and special education assistance would remain intact. “We’re not cutting the funding. That money is still going to go to the states and to the students that it is intended to benefit.” She clarified that while funding would continue, it would no longer be diminished by bureaucratic layers, ensuring that resources go directly to students rather than administrative costs.
Reallocation of Responsibilities
Donalds explained how the USDOE’s key responsibilities would be reassigned to other agencies. Under the Administration plan, student loan programs would shift to the Department of the Treasury, while civil rights enforcement in education would fall under the Department of Justice. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services would manage special education and funding for low-income students. She emphasized that while the federal government could still play a role where necessary, its involvement should remain limited.
Failing Schools and the Need for Reform
Critiquing the USDOE’s effectiveness, Donalds highlighted that the department, established in 1980 has failed to improve student achievement. She emphasized that despite decades of spending, test scores, and literacy rates have declined, yet the same ineffective system continues to receive funding. She also pointed to excessive administrative costs and political influence from teachers’ unions as significant barriers to real reform.
Despite the U.S. spending more per student than most developed countries, its academic performance remains low. She emphasized that “only 30%, one third, three out of every 10 students in fourth grade are proficient in reading. And we know we cannot operate as a society if we do not have proficient readers.”
She further stressed the risks posed by students not reaching literacy milestones by fourth grade, stating that the country is at risk due to the failure of not only the federal Department of Education but also state and local systems, which are all pointing fingers at each other. Meanwhile, the students suffer.
School Choice
Another key issue discussed in the interview was the importance of expanding school choice. Donalds is a staunch advocate for giving families more options, such as charter schools, private school vouchers, education tax credits, and online learning. She believes parents should be able to choose the best education for their children based on their unique needs. She emphasized, “Parents are consumers, they’re able to make decisions with funding that innovation, access, quality is going to increase across the board in the education space.”
Donalds also discussed President Trump’s support for expanding school choice, mainly through initiatives like the Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA). This legislation aims to offer tax credits to individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship programs for private school students. She said, “President Trump did issue an executive order for the department to find ways to encourage states to put money in the hands of parents through their various grants and programs.”
What Comes Next?
As the debate over the USDOE’s future continues, Donalds firmly believes that eliminating the department would ultimately benefit students. The goal is simple: cut out the middleman, get more money for students, and allow states and parents to take charge.
With education reform taking center stage, the discussion surrounding the USDOE’s role will likely intensify in the coming months.
