The Department of Education (DOE) is at risk of being shut down following President Donald Trump’s March 17 executive order proposing its closure. This decision could have far-reaching consequences, jeopardizing essential support for millions of students across the country. This is including funding for underprivileged schools, children with disabilities, and federal student loan programs.

Eliminating the DOE is a reckless and short-sighted move by the administration. It threatens access to both education and financial aid, undermining systems like FAFSA that help make college possible for many. The rationale behind this decision is rooted in misinformation and a fundamental misunderstanding of the department’s role, driven more by ideology than fact.

Here at The Vanguard, we believe the closure would impact students at Stevenson High School; particularly, though not exclusively, seniors. Programs like free and reduced lunch, which rely on federal support, could be cut. This would leave students once again responsible for covering meal costs, with underprivileged families especially hard-hit.

Many students depend on these school meal programs for consistent, nutritious food. Summer meal programs could also be eliminated, deepening food insecurity and placing further strain on struggling families. Letting children go hungry during the school year and over the summer is not just negligent, it’s shameful.

High school seniors in particular should take this threat seriously. Without federal loan support, tuition costs could soar, discouraging students from attending college and limiting their futures. Graduates may face the impossible choice between taking on crushing debt or forgoing higher education altogether.

Students with special needs are also at serious risk. The DOE funds services that ensure they receive equal treatment and educational opportunities. Its closure could lead to job losses for the specialized educators who support them, and strip away the assistance these students rely on.

This is a dangerous oversight by the administration, disregarding an entire population of students who deserve a fair shot at success.

The consequences would ripple nationwide. Many schools depend on DOE funding to maintain critical programs and stay open. Dismantling the department to “return education to the states” and counter supposed “woke” agendas is misleading at best. The DOE does not control school curriculum, that responsibility already lies with state governments.

To close the department over false narratives and political posturing is not just foolish, it’s harmful. Rural schools, students with disabilities, and low-income families would suffer.

Worse still, abolishing the DOE would undermine decades of progress in educational equity. The department plays a vital role in enforcing civil rights protections in schools, guarding against discrimination based on race, sex and disability. Without it, vulnerable students across state lines would face greater disparities and fewer opportunities.

This is about more than budgets. It’s about fairness, equal opportunity, and making sure every student in America, no matter their zip code, has a real chance to succeed.