For decades, the United States has been divided on how to handle its education programs, funding and curriculum. With the recent reelection of President Donald Trump, these conversations have been brought to the forefront, as he proposed an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S Department of Education. The controversial proposal has sparked widespread debate throughout the country, including in communities like Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Established in 1979 the U.S. Department of Education was intended to oversee public school funding, administer student loans, and ensure civil rights protections for students. However, President Trump wishes to dismantle the department, aiming to transfer some of its services to different federal agencies, and eliminate others completely. He argues that the department has been overly focused on advancing left-leaning progressive ideologies surrounding race, gender identity, and sexuality. He believes that education should be handled at the local level, with less federal interference. Although the President is determined to complete his goals surrounding education, getting his proposal accepted will be an ambitious feat as he would need approval from Congress, which is near impossible given the current political landscape of division.
In Whitewater, a community that prides itself on its strong education system, the possible loss of the Department of Education has raised questions and concerns about the future of local schools, teachers, and the students. Educators in the area have shared their growing concerns on how this will affect the essential services intended for children with special needs, underprivileged students, and those pursuing a higher education through loans, grants, and scholarships.
For Kelsey Maney, a Whitewater High School special education teacher, the potential cuts to education funding are especially alarming. “I am worried that a lot of cuts will be made, specifically in special education, and that teachers and paraprofessionals will lose their jobs,” Maney explained, “schools with low income families will be greatly affected as well.”
Palmyra High School Coach Brandon Wilde voiced his concerns on how this decision could impact the nation’s overall future. “ Education is what drives this country and the middle class. It needs to be a priority by the government to give the education department the proper funding and tools necessary to pay quality educators well enough where they can stay in a community for their entire career and make a difference for the future generations of our country,” Wilde emphasized.
Ayyanna Dominguez, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater who is nearing the completion of her art education degree, highlighted the direct impact the national education policies affect herself, her relatives, and her future students. “This has been an ongoing trend among traditionally-Republican parties pretty much since its incorporation.,” she explained. “Not only is it affecting me, but also my future students, especially those who rely on scholarships to finance their education.” Dominguez also shared her concern for her younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum disorder, as he could be directly impacted by this decision if there are loss of protections for students with disabilities.
While the idea of demolishing The Department of Education has been a longstanding conservative goal, it is clear that passing this proposal would lead to many complex challenges for Whitewater, and other education focused communities like it. Local educators are forced to consider the stakes of their future careers, and the possible damages to their students’ education.
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