Trump’s Education Policies: Reshaping Federal Role and Sparking Controversy

President Trump's administration has redefined federal education's role, impacting policies on discrimination, DEI, and funding.

February 19, 2025

Since his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has initiated a series of actions to redefine the federal role in education. He labeled the Education Department a “con job” and advocated for its immediate closure, which requires Congressional action. Meanwhile, the administration has enforced significant budget cuts, affecting education research and teacher training. Additionally, layoffs have begun, notably in the Office for Civil Rights.

Efforts by the Trump administration to reshape discrimination definitions in education are underway. Policies perceived as “woke” are being eliminated, and institutions are penalized for considering race in hiring and admissions. The Education Department has also moved to ban transgender athletes from sports and eliminate transgender-inclusive practices.

The administration further advised Immigration and Customs Enforcement that educational institutions are no longer sanctuaries, and threatened sanctions on schools mandating Covid vaccinations. Many of these actions face legal challenges, casting doubt on their educational impact.

Related: Stay informed. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for top education stories.

Week Five (Feb. 17)

The Education Department announced over $600 million in cuts to teacher training programs viewed as promoting “divisive ideologies.”

Week Four (Feb. 10)

An Education Department “Dear Colleague” letter warned institutions against using race in programs, citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. Such practices are now deemed discriminatory.

Trump remarked, “The Department of Education is a big con job,” advocating its immediate closure. During her confirmation, Linda McMahon, the education secretary nominee, seemed to back Trump but pledged to maintain most program funding.

The Education Department rescinded Biden-era guidance on college athlete compensation compliance with Title IX.

The department urged athletic associations to revoke awards given to transgender athletes and launched investigations into athletic associations violating the transgender athlete competition ban. It will investigate Virginia school districts allowing transgender students facility access based on gender identity.

Significant cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences included ending 89 contracts worth nearly $900 million, affecting evaluations and instructional guides.

Additionally, the Education Department canceled $350 million in contracts for regional educational laboratories and equity centers deemed “wasteful.”

Probationary employee layoffs affected the Education Department and the Bureau of Indian Education. Those laid off reportedly included staff in civil rights, communications, and legal departments.

Schools mandating Covid vaccinations risk losing federal funding under a new executive order.

The Education Department reversed Biden-era reporting requirements under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, citing excess bureaucracy.

The White House established the “Make America Healthy Again” commission, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to assess children’s exposure to certain medications.

Week Three (Feb. 3)

Trump issued an executive order barring trans girls and women from women’s sports, threatening funding cuts for non-compliance.

The Education Department announced investigations into San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for allowing trans athletes on women’s teams.

Read more: ‘Just let me play sports’

The administration announced a 15 percent reduction in “indirect cost payments” for NIH research grants, affecting facilities and administrative expenses. Institutions warn this could cripple research.

The Education Department launched investigations into five universities for reported antisemitic harassment: Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

The Defense Department restricted access to books and materials for military family schools, aligning with Trump’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to The Washington Post.

Week Two (Jan. 27)

A broad pause on federal grants and loans distribution across agencies, including the Education Department, led to confusion. Court orders blocked the move, but some providers reported limited access to federal funds.

The Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into Denver Public Schools over a gender-inclusive bathroom policy. The school board mandated such facilities in 2020.

About 50 Education Department staffers received notices of being put on leave, reportedly due to their DEI-related activities.

Trump issued an order to eliminate perceived radical indoctrination in K-12 schools, stripping federal funds where illegal treatment occurs.

A series of actions to tackle antisemitism include canceling student visas of Hamas sympathizers and ordering the DOJ to curb pro-Hamas activity on campuses.

On school choice, an executive order directs guidance on using federal funds for K-12 educational choice initiatives, involving several federal departments.

The Education Department reversed Biden rules on charter school grants due to perceived regulatory burdens, releasing $33 million in grants.

Race-conscious admissions at military academies, preserved by the Supreme Court, were banned by the Defense Department. The agency also banned cultural awareness events and identity-based clubs.

Sexual assault and harassment case rules in schools will revert to Trump-era Title IX rules, which exclude gender identity protections.

Data removal across government websites aligns with Trump’s executive order on recognizing only male and female sexes. The Office of Personnel Management ordered removal of materials promoting gender ideology.