Why I, a Teacher, Am Not Worried About the Department of Education Being Abolished

Uncertainty in education is better than a stagnant system.

As a middle school teacher, you might think I’d be panicking over the abolishment of the Department of Education.

After all, that’s the institution that oversees public schooling in this country, and the ones that employ me.

But, the truth is, I’m not worried at all, and truth be told, I welcome the change…

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I don’t hate my job.

I don’t despise education;

And I’m certainly not indifferent to the well-being of my students, and the rest within our school.

But I believe that reducing the government’s control over education (and people’s lives in general) is a step toward greater individual freedom, and creating an environment that is more appropriate for the optimal development of the minds of our nation’s youth.

And in my opinion, uncertainty in the pursuit of freedom is far better than a stable status quo that keeps us from real progress.

If you look at our school's funding, performance, resources, and output today, do you think this is really the best system our society could come up with in our attempt to develop the minds of today's youth best?

Bureaucracy Stifles Growth

One of the biggest problems with the Department of Education is that it operates like any other bloated government bureaucracy, slow-moving, out of touch, and more focused on regulations than results.

It dictates what schools should teach, how teachers should teach, and what students should learn, often with little regard for the needs of actual communities, families, or the students themselves.

If the Department of Education were abolished, responsibility for schooling standards, funding, and curriculum would shift to state and local governments, private institutions, and individual families.

Here’s how I think that might break down:

1. State and Local Governments

Each state’s Department of Education would become the primary governing body for education. States already set their academic standards, but these could vary more widely without federal oversight.

Local school districts would have more autonomy in deciding curricula, teacher qualifications, and assessment methods. This could lead to more tailored education but also inconsistencies across states.

State legislatures would determine school funding policies, relying on state budgets, property taxes, and other local revenue sources.

2. School Choice and Private Institutions

Private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling would play a larger role, with parents making direct choices about their child’s education. I view this to be a move in the right direction as we now require parents to pay attention to what is happening in their children’s educational “career”.

More competition in education could lead to innovation and specialization, but could also create disparities based on income and access to resources.

3. Funding Sources

Without federal funds, states and local governments would need to cover all education expenses through state taxes, bonds, and local property taxes.

Federal funding programs, such as Title I (for low-income schools) and IDEA (for special education students), would be eliminated or replaced by state programs, which may vary significantly in effectiveness.

I don’t have a magic ball that will tell me the answer to what “perfect” looks like, but I know that something has to change, so we don’t need to view disruption as a negative, but rather, an evolution of education in America.

School vouchers or education savings accounts (ESAs) could become more common, allowing families to use public funds for private or homeschooling options.

4. Curriculum and Standards

Curriculum decisions would be made at the state or local level, meaning there could be significant differences in what students learn from state to state. The hope, is that we can now focus on what our kids need, not what every kid needs.

National testing programs like Common Core and federally mandated assessments would likely disappear, unless states chose to keep them.

Accreditation and educational quality control would be managed by state boards, private accrediting agencies, or market forces, rather than federal regulation.

Potential Challenges and Benefits

✅ Greater freedom for states, districts, and parents.

✅ More competition and innovation in education.

✅ Potential for localized and specialized curricula.

❌ Possible funding inequalities between wealthy and poor districts.

❌ Lack of national education standards could cause disparities.

❌ Some families may struggle to navigate a more complex and privatized system.

Ultimately, abolishing the Department of Education would decentralize control, putting education policy in the hands of states, local communities, and individual families, for better or worse.

I see it firsthand.

So much of what we do in the classroom is shaped by government policies rather than what works.

Standardized testing dictates curriculum.

Red tape prevents innovation.

Funding decisions are not based on what’s best for kids, but on what keeps the system running.

Would removing the Department of Education create some uncertainty?

Of course it would…

But that’s what happens when you take power away from centralized control and return it to individuals.

It forces people to step up, make choices, and take responsibility for their future, and a shift in that direction would be a very good thing, because for far too long, the expectation that “someone will fix it” has kicked the can down the road for decades.

Nobody has fixed our educational crisis, and it’s time we break it down, in order to build it up better.

Globally, the U.S. ranks roughly 36th in Math, and 28th in Science, which is not all that great considering that we view ourselves as the leading nation on Earth in all matters.

Freedom Over Security

There’s a common argument that everything will descend into chaos without the Department of Education.

But let’s be brutally honest, our current system isn’t producing world-class results.

We’ve got declining test scores, disengaged students, and an education system that churns out kids who are more prepared to follow orders than to think critically or forge their path.

What if we allowed education to be more of a free market?

What if parents, teachers, and communities had more say over how schools operated?

What if students had real options beyond the one-size-fits-all approach we have today?

People say that parents are unfit to educate their children, and there is merit to that as some parents would not know what to do if they were in charge of their child’s education. Still, those situations will be figured out, as no “impact-free” option is available when discussing change.

Someone will always get put into a less-than-ideal position, and that’s okay; they will figure it out because they have to, and the greater good takes priority over them.

That might sound uncertain, but uncertainty is part of freedom.

It means people can shape their futures rather than relying on a government institution to do it for them. And the reality is, people will always seek education in some form, whether through private schools, homeschooling, apprenticeships, or trade programs.

I believe in my community and that American citizens can make this work; When given the choice, individuals will find a way.

The Illusion of Stability

People love the idea of stability.

They cling to it, even when it’s not helping them.

The Department of Education gives the illusion of stability…

People believe it’s needed, and that we are good if we have it, and everything will be ruined if we don’t, and that’s exactly what the entire government wants you to believe. It’s why there is fear, chaos, and carnage in every other story, because they want you to believe that the world is bad and the government is needed to keep us safe.

The broken DoE has convinced us that somehow, our struggling school systems are not its fault, and if it were to be removed, things would get worse…

The Department of Education makes people feel like the system is working, even when failing so many students.

True progress never comes from clinging to a broken system just because it’s familiar; I’d rather embrace uncertainty if it means opening the door to something better.

A system where education is driven by competition, innovation, and individual choice has far more potential than the rigid, top-down control we have now.

As a teacher, I deliver lessons and help students learn how to think, not what to think.

I’d rather a world where education is shaped by free people making their own decisions than ones where we’re all cogs in a machine that never really worked in the first place.

The uncertainty in pursuing freedom within education constantly beats the comfortable, stagnant status quo - I’m here for it. When things get weird, Coach Zac will be on the front lines ensuring our students are getting what they need to take things to the next level.

Change isn’t bad, it’s different, and I’m committed to ensuring we make the best of things when the table gets flipped over and we can put the pieces back together how we want them.

- Zac Small