Why we have and need a US Department of Education

This series examines the U.S. Department of Education at a time when the president of the United States has called for the Department’s demise. It considers what the Department does to shape education policy and practice in the United States. It also addresses misconceptions about the Department’s role and the president’s authority to dismantle it.

Republic Special Education teacher Stephanie Taylor (left) and paraprofessional Jessica Stever work with preschool students Rhett and Finley at the Republic School District Early Childhood Center on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.

Research and commentary

A man leaves the federal courthouse where a group of Democratic state attorneys are asking a federal judge to block U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and halt it from laying off nearly half of its staff, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Amanda Sabga

Education Tracking lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s K-12 education agenda

Rachel M. Perera, Thalia González, Aidan Tomlinson

September 8, 2025

A view shows the U.S. Department of Education building during a Defend Our Schools rally to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order to shut down the department, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on March 21, 2025.

U.S. Government & Politics The US Department of Education is far behind on producing key statistics

Dominique J. Baker

June 25, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaking at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington, DC, USA on June 16, 2021.

Education A conversation with former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about COVID-19 and schools

Katharine Meyer, Jon Valant, Nicolas Zerbino

April 3, 2025

Children applaud as U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to sign an executive order to shut down the Department of Education, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2025.

Education Policy Brookings scholars analyze Trump’s order to dismantle the Department of Education

Michael Hansen, Katharine Meyer, Rachel M. Perera, Jon Valant

March 21, 2025

Education What does the US Department of Education do?

Katharine Meyer, Rachel M. Perera, Sarah Reber, Jon Valant

February 20, 2025

U.S. Supreme Court Police stand in front of the building shortly after the Court’s ruling that universities may not consider race in admissions, effectively ending affirmative action.

Education Access & Equity The Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to redefine racial discrimination

Rachel M. Perera

February 24, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education is seen on December 6, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Education is one of the many federal agencies and programs in the crosshairs of President-elect Donald Trump as he looks to cut the federal budget when in office.

Education Cutting research funding would make education less effective and efficient

Cara Jackson, Daphna Bassok, Beth Boulay, Michal Kurlaender, Lindsay Page, Elizabeth Tipton

February 24, 2025

A girl is shown holding question mark card and scratching her head.

Education Policy FAQs: The US Department of Education and the Trump administration

Katharine Meyer, Rachel M. Perera, Sarah Reber, Jon Valant

February 20, 2025

An image of an empty school hallway and blue lockers

Society & Culture Brookings scholars’ reflections on the US Department of Education

Lauren Bauer, Sofoklis Goulas, Michael Hansen, Katharine Meyer, Emily Markovich Morris, Rachel M. Perera, Sarah Reber, Sweta Shah, Jon Valant

February 20, 2025

A man walks past to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building on February 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S.

Education With Trump back in office, what’s next for the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights?

Rachel M. Perera

February 13, 2025

Events

Past Event

February 28

2025

Education Access & Equity What do education leaders need to know about the Department of Education’s new guidance on race and civil rights?

Online Only

Friday, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EST

Past Event

January 21

2025

Education Policy The future of the US Department of Education: A conversation with three former U.S. education secretaries

Online Only

Tuesday, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST