KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - President Donald Trump is following through his campaign promises. Since taking office, the Department of Education announced it is cutting nearly 50% of its workforce as President Trump has consistently proposed eliminating the agency altogether. “We want education to be moved back where the states run education where the parents of the children will be running education,” Trump explained in a press conference Wednesday. Though more than half of the department’s employees work in Washington, D.C., it also has 10 offices in other parts of the country. Including in the metro, where more than 50 Kansas Citians could be jobless—thousands more could be affected indirectly.
What does the Department of Education do?
The Department of Education is responsible for a bulk of key functions, including designating federal aid. According to
USA Facts , both the state of Kansas and Missouri benefit from the funding. Public schools in Kansas have received $772.8 million. In Missouri, $2.1 billion has been distributed. Kansas City Public Schools use federal funding for Head Start, College Access Corner and special education programs. Closing the department would mean redistributing that task to another agency. It helps fund programs to support students with disabilities and those living in poverty. The agency enforces civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and students of color. It also oversees the $1.6 trillion student loan program. “[I’m] Really concerned about meeting the needs for kids across the country,” Patrick Layden, Executive Director for the Missouri National Education Association said. The association advocates for the rights and interests of students and educators in the state. “Teachers and support staff are extremely concerned,” Layden explained. “Will they be able to do their jobs and will they be supported? It is hard enough not knowing whether the funding is going to continue for things like the Individuals Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which makes sure special needs students have their needs met.” The Trump Administration still faces an uphill battle as getting rid of the department would require legislative action. Exactly 60 votes would be needed for the plan to advance in the Senate.
