What Every Parent Needs to Know About the 2025 Education Shakeup

In March 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order dismantling the Department of Education, sparking confusion, outrage, and major concern for families across the United States. In our latest episode of Odd Moms On Call, we’re breaking down what this means, why it matters, and how the attack on DEI programs, student loans, and public school funding is already impacting kids today.

---

What the Dismantling of the Department of Education Actually Means

Despite political headlines, education standards, curriculum, and testing have always been controlled at the state level — not by the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education, created in 1980, mainly manages federal funding, civil rights enforcement in education, and the student loan system. (Learn more about what the Department of Education actually does here).

Now, with nearly half of the department’s employees laid off, the dismantling is raising serious concerns around:

• Student loan servicing and forgiveness programs
• Federal education funding
• Enforcement of civil rights protections in schools

And here’s the problem: there’s no clear plan for what happens next.

---

Real-World Impact: DEI Programs, Student Loans, and Public School Chaos

Across the country, the fallout has already started:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs cut: After-school clubs and cultural initiatives are being shut down, even in diverse communities.
• Federal funding threatened: Schools refusing to sign “compliance” letters against DEI initiatives risk losing critical funds.
• Student loans thrown into chaos: Student loan servicing is shifting to the Small Business Administration, breaching millions of borrower contracts and potentially opening up legal challenges.
• Teacher shortages grow: In states like South Carolina and Missouri, underfunded schools are struggling to retain quality educators.

If you’ve been wondering how DEI cuts affect students, or what the Department of Education’s closure means for student loans, the answer is simple: it’s devastating — especially for marginalized and low-income families.

---

Why Parents Should Care About Education Policy Changes in 2025

This isn’t about politics — it’s about people. Without strong federal protections and funding systems, students with disabilities, students of color, and low-income students stand to lose the most.

And while states may gain more “freedom” in theory, in practice, we’re seeing increasing government overreach, harmful cuts, and policies that put children at risk.

As our panelist Midori shared: dismantling something without a strategic rebuild only breeds chaos and distrust — and it’s our children who will bear the cost.

---

How You Can Take Action

• 📚 Find your state’s Department of Education and learn how local decisions are being made.
• 🗳️ Vote in your local elections — school boards and state superintendents matter more than ever.
• ✊ Advocate for public education, inclusive programs, and protections for all students.

---

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Odd Moms On Call and join us on Instagram @OddMomsOnCall where real moms break down the real-world impacts of political chaos on parenting.