On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to “send education back to the states” by dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, begging the question: What does this mean for Hinsdale South students and our community?
A Bold Shift in Federal Education Policy
Over the past few months, the administration has taken steps to restructure the Department of Education. Current secretary Linda McMahon, whose confirmation hearing on March 3, 2025 outlined plans to dismantle much of the agency’s centralized control, has put an emphasis on transferring almost all decision-making power to state and local authorities while maintaining programs such as Title I funding for low-income schools, loan forgiveness for public service worker, and Pell grants. However, DOGE has already cut $900 million in contracts for funding a DoE program that tracks nationwide student progress, raising concerns about more funding cuts. The chair of the Health and Education Committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy, stated she is “prepared to return power to parents and reform an Education Department that has lost the plot.”
What This Means for South
The new directives aim to remove programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and gender ideology may see reductions or alterations. McMahon promised to cut federal money from schools that don’t comply with Trump’s recent demands, which involve the removal of the stated programs.
The White House stated a key pillar of the new administration’s approach is expanding parental choice in education. This could mean that, soon, parents in our district might gain more options regarding alternative educational programs. While this shift is expected to “improve student achievement,” it could also lead to new issues in ensuring equitable access for all kinds of students.
Even though critical programs like Title I are being maintained for now, critics argue that the long-term reduction of federal oversight might harm students from low-income families or those requiring special education services. As one put it, “We know poor children and children with disabilities will suffer with the plans McMahon has laid out. Private schools will leave our students with disabilities out. Poor kids will receive less money to compete on a level playing field.” Although South benefits from a majority of local funding, nationwide policy changes have the potential to create disparities across districts beyond D86.
At South, federal funding represents a small fraction of the overall budget: about 1.8% of the per-student spending, or only $624 out of a total of $34,116 in 2024. Because most of our funding is secured through state and local sources, the immediate financial impact of reduced federal dollars may be limited. Though fiscal consequences may be limited, the upcoming policy changes could still influence our school through the loss of students to other education programs and pressure for teachers to change their teaching style and content.
What’s Next?
Recent internal communications within the Department of Education have sparked concern among federal employees, with some describing the recent emails sent out as a power grab aimed at reshaping the agency in ways that prioritize private industry instead of the good of the public. While all the changes being made are subject to congressional approval and legal challenges, the debate is intensifying as the administration continues onward.
For South, our current classroom experience remains largely unchanged. Teachers and administrators continue to work hard to deliver quality education, and our local funding allows us some stability. The national shift toward decentralized control, however, means over time, local education might see changes in curriculum standards, policies, and the range of available education.
