SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — President Donald Trump signed an order dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, which has left many educators worried about the future of schooling in Syracuse.
Trump promised to close the department on the campaign trail. Trump has said National Assessment of Educational Progress data shows the Department of Education has failed to improve student achievement, and that closing the department will improve educational outcomes.
The data shows no significant change in student reading scores for 2023 compared to 1971 and an increase in math scores since around the same time. However, NAEP scores in both categories steadily improved until 2012, dropping slowly until scores plummeted following 2020.
Syracuse University education professor George Theoharis said the order is a rhetorical move against diversity and inclusion.
“Part of the threat of the Department of Ed is its history around civil rights and making education better for kids who (are) in communities who we haven’t served as well as we should, right?” Theoharis said. “And the Trump administration is really pushing against those kind of initiatives.”
DOE funding reportedly makes up about 10% of Syracuse City School District budget, over double the percentage of federal funding New York state overall uses for education. This includes funds for low-income students and disabled students, which Trump has promised he will preserve.
Over 37% of Syracuse City district students were impoverished in 2023, the second highest in the state.
Theoharis expressed concern that the administration could leverage federal funds over districts, similar to what he’s done with Columbia University.
“So I can imagine, because we’re seeing this in higher ed, the Trump administration saying we won’t give you your Title I money… unless you dismantle special programs for kids of various identity,” Theoharis said.
Fully dismantling the DOE would require congressional action. In addition, a coalition of groups has sued the Trump administration over the executive order.
Audio Transcript: Syracuse educators worry Trump’s dismantling of Department of Education could harm city students
Milo Hoffman: President Trump has ordered the dismantling of the Department of Education… leaving many educators worried about the future of schooling in Syracuse. NCC News reporter Charlene Nomeny has more.
Charlene Nomeny: President Trump says the Department of Education is failing, and that closing the department will improve education outcomes. Syracuse University education professor George Theoharis says the order is a rhetorical move against DOE initiatives.
George Theoharis: Part of the threat of the Department of Ed is its history around civil rights, and making education better for kids who in communities who we haven’t served as well as we should, right. And that crosses racial, ethnic, disability, language, gender.
Nomeny: DOE funding reportedly makes up about 10 percent of Syracuse City district schools’ budget. This includes funds for low-income students and disabled students, which Trump says he will preserve. Theoharis fears the administration could leverage these funds over districts like Syracuse…similar to what he’s done with Columbia University.
Theoharis: Because we’re seeing this in higher ed, the Trump administration saying we won’t give you your Title I money unless you, fill in the blank. Unless you dismantle special programs for kids of various identity.
Nomeny: A coalition of groups has sued the Trump administration over the executive order. Charlene Nomeny, NCC News.