The idea of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education isn’t new. It’s a longstanding talking point for conservatives who view federal oversight of schools as government overreach. In fact, during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, former Congressman Ron Paul from Texas called for the abolition of the Department of Education, and his proposal was met with enthusiastic applause from Republican primary voters.
But in 2025, with growing momentum among far-right lawmakers and presidential candidates vowing to dismantle the agency, the question is no longer hypothetical.
For a city like New Orleans—where public education is already stretched thin—the consequences would be significant.
Why the Department of Education Matters
Established in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education plays a central role in ensuring federal funding, civil rights protections, and educational equity across the country. While it doesn’t dictate curriculum—that’s handled by states—it ensures that federal money reaches schools serving low-income students, students with disabilities, and English language learners.
In 2024, the Department’s budget totaled over $79 billion, with nearly two-thirds directed toward Title I funding (for low-income districts), special education (IDEA), and Pell Grants for college students.
What’s at Stake for New Orleans
In a city where approximately 83% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, federal funding isn’t extra—it’s essential.
1. Title I Cuts Would Gut Local Schools
New Orleans public and charter schools rely heavily on Title I funds to support reading and math programs, technology access, tutoring, and staff salaries. In Orleans Parish alone, Title I funds are a significant component of school budgets. Losing that funding would widen achievement gaps and further burden already under-resourced schools.
2. Special Education Services at Risk
Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal government guarantees services for students with disabilities—including therapy, accommodations, and aides. Without that support, families in New Orleans would face longer waitlists, fewer services, and even out-of-pocket costs just to ensure their child’s basic right to education.
3. Civil Rights Enforcement Would Vanish
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination based on race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation in public schools. In a city with a complex history of racial inequity and charter expansion, federal oversight is often the only accountability tool for families facing unfair treatment.
Impact on Louisiana’s Unique Charter System
New Orleans is the only major U.S. city where nearly every public school operates under a charter model. While some celebrate the autonomy and innovation this model promises, it has also led to inconsistent quality, accountability issues, and enrollment barriers.
Federal oversight helps ensure charter schools adhere to civil rights laws, provide equitable access, and serve all students—not just those who fit their mold. Without that, the potential for unchecked exclusion and mismanagement increases.
College Access and Pell Grants on the Chopping Block
Beyond K-12, the Department of Education administers Pell Grants, which provide college tuition support to low-income students. In New Orleans, where median household income remains below the national average, thousands of students rely on Pell Grants to access higher education. Eliminating the Department could put those grants—and the future careers they enable—at risk.
Who Benefits from the Department’s Closure?
Abolishing the Department doesn’t benefit students. It benefits politicians who want to dismantle public services and further privatize education. It benefits corporations eager to enter the education market with fewer rules. And it benefits ideologues who want to scrub history, science, and identity from classrooms.
What Happens When Washington Walks Away?
If the Department of Education is dismantled, New Orleans schools won’t suddenly become freer or more effective—they’ll become more unequal. The city’s most vulnerable students will suffer first and worst, while already-struggling public institutions lose funding, support, and oversight.
In a system still recovering from Katrina, still navigating systemic poverty, and still contending with educational inequity, removing the last layer of federal protection is not reform—it’s abandonment.
Because when Washington walks away, it won’t be lawmakers who suffer.
It’ll be kids in classrooms across New Orleans.
