What Does The Department of Education Actually Do?

TOP OF MIND

Education? Whom needs it?
As you've probably heard, President Trump wants to dismantle the Department of Education. His reasoning? To return "all education, and education work and needs back to the states” and “end wokeness in schools."

This reasoning is confusing to some folks, because states already have control over what students learn. Thanks to the Every Student Succeeds Act, states are able to set academic standards and coursework for schools. Basically, the states put out a few options for the curriculum, and it's up to the local school boards to pick which works best for their school district.

So if the Department of Education doesn't spread wokeness, what does the department do? And will you or your child be impacted if it shuts down?

The important bits
Funding. The Department of Education disburses billions in student loans each year, provides funding to help poor and disabled students enrolled in school, funds public charter schools, and operates programs like Pell grants, which provide qualifying low- and middle-income students with up to $7,400 per year to attend college.

Basically, it's a bank for our nation's education system.

So if Trump successfully shuts it down, would it impact you on a local scale? The answer is a little complicated. Some experts say that even if the department is shuttered, most of its functions would remain in place because there are laws that protect them.

Most people believe the student loan program would be hit hardest, but others are worried about young students with disabilities. The Department of Education protects those students by making sure they have proper accommodations.

Thankfully, these services are mandated by law, which means they should be safe, even if the department shuts down. However, it would make it easier for school districts to get away with not providing adequate care because there would be no way to file complaints or have them properly investigated.

What’s it all mean?
Schools would largely remain the same and most people wouldn't be impacted. But sadly, those who need the most help would be the first ones to feel the pain.

DID YOU HEAR

🧻 Potty-training in 3 days
For a lot of parents, potty-training is a nightmare. A recent study claims the average toddler is potty-trained at 3-years-old, which is nine months later than toddlers born back in the '50s and '60s. And while some experts place the blame on the convenience of diapers, this mom puts all the blame on parents. She says she potty-trained her kids in three days, and it wasn't even that hard. Find out how she did it here.

💰 Tax credits parents need to know about
Kids and saving money go together like motor oil and cereal. But thankfully, once a year, those little munchkins can save you money! The child tax credit is probably the most well known tax credit for parents, but there are five more out there you might not be aware of. There's the Child and Dependent Care Credit, earned income tax credit, adoption tax credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Get a breakdown of all six here.

🧠 Daaamn! Your brain looks niiice for its age!
Good news, parents! A recent study from Rutgers Health and Yale University found that parents who had more kids showed stronger connections in their brains as they got older. Basically, they have "younger looking brains." And this is true for both mothers AND fathers, which suggests the benefits come from parenthood caregiving, as opposed to pregnancy.

🧐 Nearsightedness is increasing in children
It's estimated that around 42% of Americans are nearsighted, compared with just 25% in 1971. Pediatric ophthalmologist Kim Le says her office is diagnosing children with myopia earlier and with stronger prescriptions than ever before. What's the cause? Take a wild guess.

🧚 Tooth fairy payouts are dropping hard
Times are so tough that even mythical creatures are feeling the pain. Tooth fairy payouts are the lowest they've been in years. See the data here.

DOSE OF GOOD

@mikiesomer.teague

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked if you think kids under 18 should be allowed to buy anti-aging products, and around 59% of you said "no" while around 30% said, "It's more complicated than yes or no."