The U. S. Department of Education has been a subject of debate for some time.  Some people advocate for its closure, while others express concern about the potential impact on students.  It is important to look at the facts to understand what might happen if the department were to shut down.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a crucial law that ensures students with disabilities receive the necessary support in schools.  This law has been in effect since 1975 and is not directly tied to the existence of the Education Department.  Only Congress has the power to change this law, so it would remain intact even if the department were to close.

Title 1, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is another significant program.  It provides funding to schools in low-income areas.  This program has been operating since 1965 and distributes billions of dollars annually to support these schools.  The funding would continue to be available even if the Education Department were to dissolve.

Student loans are another area of concern.  The Higher Education Act of 1965 established the federal student loan program.  These loans would still be available to students even if the Education Department were to shut down.  The government would continue to back these loans, ensuring that students can still access them.

Some people worry that closing the Education Department would lead to larger class sizes, fewer job training programs, and reduced support for students with disabilities.  However, these programs could be managed by other departments.  Students would still receive the support they need, even if the Education Department were to close.

Before the creation of the Department of Education in 1980 by President Carter, these programs were overseen by other departments, such as Health, Education, and Welfare.  This means that the idea of redistributing these responsibilities is not new.  It has been done before and could be done again.

There is a lot of fear-mongering around the idea of shutting down the Education Department.  Some people claim that it would be a catastrophe for students.  However, the reality is that these programs would still exist.  Students would continue to receive the support they need.

The real issue at hand is about who controls education.  The Education Department has significant influence over what is taught in schools.  If it were to close, that control would be spread among other departments.  This could potentially lead to less federal oversight and more local control over education.

It is important not to be swayed by scare tactics.  The truth is that shutting down the Education Department would not be the end of the world for students.  The programs would still be in place, and students would still receive the support they need.

What Happens to School Funding if the Education Department Closes?

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