Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education, traditionally responsible for establishing policies and administering federal assistance to education, is currently undergoing significant changes. Under the Trump administration, particularly with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, the department is facing a potential dismantling and a shift towards privatization through vouchers, alongside a focus on patriotism and prayer in schools. This has led to a 'hard reset' of the system. Recent news highlights the department's involvement in student loan management, with a portion of its portfolio being transferred to the Treasury Department. Furthermore, the future of student loan repayment programs like the 'Saving on a Value Education (Save) Plan' is uncertain due to court challenges. The department's funding is also subject to debate, as evidenced by the recent congressional approval of a spending package to avert a government shutdown, which included funding for the Department of Education. These developments underscore the department's current relevance as it navigates policy shifts and financial constraints under the current administration.