There has been ongoing discussion about the role of the U.S. Department of Education, with some advocating for reducing its responsibilities or restructuring it entirely. These conversations have been happening since the department was created in 1979. Today, it employs more than 4,000 people and has an annual budget of $79 billion. Many of its responsibilities were established by lawmakers, as the U.S. Constitution does not specifically mention a federal role in education.
Here’s a look at what the Education Department does and how much of its work is protected by acts of Congress:
Providing Funding for Public Schools
While most public school funding comes from state and local governments, the federal government plays an important role in supporting students who need additional resources. In Arizona, the federal government provides 19% of public school funding.
Two major sources of federal education funding are:
- Title I: Helps school districts serving lower-income communities. In 2023, the Education Department received more than $18 billion for Title I.
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): Helps school districts provide services to students with disabilities. In 2024, the department received more than $15 billion for IDEA.
Both Title I and IDEA were established by acts of Congress and cannot be changed or eliminated without congressional approval. These programs have long-standing bipartisan support because of the critical role they play in ensuring students get the resources they need.
Setting Education Policy – But Not Curriculum
A common misconception is that the Department of Education decides what is taught in schools. In reality, curriculum decisions are made at the state and local levels. Federal law makes it clear that states have control over classroom content.
“The federal government is not involved in curriculum or hiring decisions,” says Kenneth Wong, a professor of education policy at Brown University. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), passed in 2015, reinforced that states—not the federal government—determine what students learn.
Managing College Financial Aid and Student Loans
The Education Department plays a major role in making college more accessible by managing financial aid and student loans. Each year, more than 17 million students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the gateway to grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans.
The department oversees a student loan portfolio of approximately $1.6 trillion through its Federal Student Aid (FSA) office. FSA provides about $120.8 billion in student aid each year, including $33 billion in Pell Grants for low- and middle-income students. It also manages student loan servicers—the companies that handle loan payments and borrower support.
Collecting Data on Colleges and Students
The department tracks and reports on data from colleges, universities, and vocational programs that participate in federal student aid programs. This helps students and families compare schools, understand graduation rates, and analyze financial aid options, making it easier to choose the best path for their education.
Measuring Student Achievement with the Nation’s Report Card
The Education Department oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. This assessment, which has been in place since 1969, measures student achievement in subjects like math, reading, and science.
The NAEP is an important tool for tracking student progress over time. It has been especially valuable in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, highlighting trends in academic performance, attendance, and student experiences. Policymakers, educators, and researchers use this data to improve education for all students.
Why This Matters
The U.S. Department of Education may not be responsible for daily classroom instruction. Still, it plays a key role in ensuring that students—especially those from under-resourced communities and those with disabilities—have access to the support they need. From funding public schools and providing college financial aid to tracking student achievement, the department helps shape the educational landscape for millions of families across the country.
Source: Portions of this content were adapted from an article by NPR, published on February 4, 2025. You can read the original article here.