San Francisco, CA – In a recent interview on Fox News, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to dismantle the Department of Education, a move that has sparked significant concern among educators in the Bay Area and beyond. Trump expressed his desire to withdraw funding from public schools that teach certain subjects, raising alarms about the potential impact on educational resources.
During the interview, Trump stated, “We’re going to take the Department of Education and close it. I’m going to close it.” He emphasized the need to monitor states like California, implying that schools could face funding cuts if they introduce curricula he deems unacceptable.
Governor Gavin Newsom swiftly responded to Trump’s comments, calling them “unhinged” and expressing concern about the ramifications for California’s students. He pointed out that Trump’s plan could jeopardize nearly $8 billion in school funding critical for educational programs and resources.
Heather Lattimer, Dean of the College of Education at San Jose State University, echoed these concerns, highlighting the importance of federal funding in supporting vulnerable children and families. “If you look at the Department of Education, as well as our state funding mechanisms, so much of what is there is really to support our most vulnerable children and families,” she said. Lattimer fears that essential services, including class size protections, special education programs, and student meal programs, could be eliminated without the support of the Department of Education.
Nolan Higdon, a Professor of History and Communication at CSU East Bay, urged caution, suggesting that educators should not panic over Trump’s proposals just yet. He noted the complexity of the educational system and the limited role the federal government plays in determining school curricula. “Local school boards have a lot of influence over what is taught in those schools and how things are measured,” Higdon explained. He pointed out that while the federal government can incentivize schools through funding, it has minimal control over classroom content.
Higdon described Trump’s approach as part of a broader conservative ideology aimed at reducing what they perceive as bureaucratic control over education. In contrast, Lattimer emphasized the need to uplift public education rather than use it as a tool for division. “The fact that public education has been used now for years as a bludgeon to divide our society is really, really problematic,” she stated.
