In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education navigated a series of unprecedented challenges.
Just a day after President Joe Biden was sworn into office, the Department of Education issued its first press release announcing a continuation of the pause on federal student loan payments, a directive from the new president.
Over the course of Biden’s term, the department issued more public statements regarding student loan forgiveness than any other topic. By 2024, the administration reported $138 billion in student debt cancellations for 3.9 million borrowers across more than two dozen executive actions. However, state courts and the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that Biden exceeded his authority in these actions, leaving many borrowers in limbo.
In addition to debt relief, the Department of Education frequently addressed amended Title IX provisions allowing students to participate in sports based on their chosen gender identity, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These included funding for historically Black colleges and universities, programs to help prison inmates access Pell Grants, multilingual classroom programs, and other measures promoting equity.
Critics, such as Parents Defending Education (PDE), claim these initiatives detract from rigorous academic standards. PDE researcher Rhyen Staley said, “The only groups benefiting from this funding are universities, administrators, and DEI consultants—at the expense of children’s education.”
The department also focused on distributing funds under the American Rescue Plan during the pandemic and addressing civil rights violations within schools and higher education. Additionally, it emphasized teacher recruitment, technical education, and mental health supports.
During a speech in January 2022, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona outlined a vision for American education that emphasized equity and mental health support. “We can’t lose this moment—this chance to reset education—by going back to pre-pandemic strategies that did not address inequities,” Cardona stated.
Despite these efforts, national test scores in reading and math dropped significantly. On October 27, 2022, Cardona acknowledged the declines as “appalling and unacceptable,” urging renewed focus on students’ recovery.
The federal Department of Education, established in 1979, has faced criticism for its limited scope and growing bureaucracy. Jonathan Butcher, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, argued for its abolition, citing its functions could be absorbed by other federal agencies with savings to taxpayers. “Federal aid to poor districts amounts to less than 10 percent of per-student allocations,” Butcher said. “Eliminating the Department of Education would give states more authority.”
Others, such as David Ardrey of the National Rural Education Association, worry about the impact of potential changes on rural districts. “Kids don’t stop going to school because there’s a transition in the presidency,” Ardrey said, underscoring the importance of federal support for these communities.
Meanwhile, education groups remain divided. The National Education Association expressed disappointment in recent election results, such as the passage of a referendum ending school vouchers in Nebraska, while measures to codify school choice failed in Colorado and Kentucky. NEA President Becky Pringle emphasized the need for leaders to focus on ensuring every child receives a quality public education.
As the Department of Education transitions to a new administration, priorities such as reducing bureaucracy, emphasizing academic improvement, and fostering state and local control remain central to debates about its future.
