Over half of Individuals oppose Trump’s plan to dismantle US Schooling Division, new ballot finds

In a brand new nationally consultant ballot commissioned by New America, a big majority of Individuals have voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s proposal to remove the US Division of Schooling. Based on the findings, over half of American adults, 55 p.c, are in opposition to the plan, which kinds a central a part of President Donald Trump’s right-wing agenda as outlined in Venture 2025. The ballot, performed between February 21 and 25, 2025, paints a stark image of the general public’s considerations over the potential dismantling of the Schooling Division.
The proposal, which might see the tasks of the Schooling Division shifted to different federal businesses, has drawn sharp criticism, particularly because of the crucial function the division performs in overseeing key applications like Pell Grants and pupil loans. As Trump’s administration pushes ahead with its authorities downsizing agenda, the Schooling Division stays one of the crucial contentious targets.
Public opposition to elimination of the Schooling Division
The ballot outcomes present clear and overwhelming opposition to the proposal throughout numerous demographic teams. When requested about eliminating the Schooling Division, 55 p.c of Individuals responded negatively, with solely 26 p.c in favor and 17 p.c not sure. The opposition was notably sturdy amongst Democrats, with 89 p.c of them rejecting the plan. In the meantime, amongst Republicans, 51 p.c had been in favor, with 27 p.c opposed, and 22 p.c undecided. Independents additionally confirmed important opposition, with 54 p.c disagreeing with the proposal.
As reported by the New America, the partisan divide is unmistakable, reflecting the broader political divides within the nation, however the total sentiment in opposition to the proposal stays sturdy. The ballot additionally sheds mild on the dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s method to federal governance, which many see as being pushed by ideological motivations reasonably than sensible advantages for college students and households.
Considerations over shifting pupil assist tasks
The proposed shift of the Schooling Division’s duties to different federal businesses, reminiscent of transferring the workplace answerable for Federal Scholar Assist (FSA) to the US Division of Treasury, has raised alarms. Federal Scholar Assist handles essential applications, together with Pell Grants and pupil loans, which affect tens of millions of Individuals. Nevertheless, the Treasury Division lacks expertise in managing these intricate applications, resulting in widespread skepticism concerning the effectiveness of such a shift.
Based on the New America ballot, 62 p.c of Individuals oppose transferring these tasks to different businesses with no expertise in overseeing monetary assist. The opposition was notably excessive amongst Democrats, with 89 p.c expressing disapproval, adopted by 57 p.c of Independents, and 43 p.c of Republicans. The ballot underscores that almost all Individuals imagine the present system, managed by the Schooling Division, is greatest suited to deal with these crucial features.
Individuals reject AI chatbot replacements for name facilities
One other controversial aspect of the Trump administration’s training reform entails changing human-run federal pupil assist name facilities with AI chatbots. These name facilities are at present answerable for helping college students and households with nuanced questions associated to monetary assist, together with eligibility for grants, loans, and compensation choices.
Nevertheless, the New America ballot reveals that Individuals are extremely skeptical of this proposal. Two-thirds (68 p.c) of these surveyed oppose changing human name middle employees with AI, citing considerations over accuracy and the standard of help college students would obtain. Amongst Democrats, 86 p.c are in opposition to the thought, whereas 58 p.c of Republicans additionally expressed opposition to the shift. Solely 15 p.c of all Individuals favor the usage of AI chatbots to exchange human help in such a crucial space.
Canceling contracts and halting analysis
As a part of the broader efforts to chop authorities spending, the Trump administration has additionally moved to cancel almost $900 million in contracts with the Institute of Schooling Sciences (IES), the analysis arm of the Schooling Division. These contracts supported essential analysis on pupil studying and academic outcomes. The termination of those contracts has raised considerations concerning the lack of worthwhile information and the waste of taxpayer funds that had already been invested within the tasks.
As reported by the New America, 63 p.c of Individuals oppose ending analysis into the effectiveness of instructional applications. The opposition spans get together traces, with 44 p.c of Republicans, 64 p.c of Independents, and 86 p.c of Democrats rejecting the cancellation of those analysis contracts. The general public appears to acknowledge the significance of data-driven approaches in enhancing training, particularly for deprived college students.
Opposition to key proposals

Supply: New America
Potential penalties for college students and taxpayers
Dismantling the Schooling Division might have far-reaching penalties, particularly for low-income college students, college students of coloration, and people with disabilities. As famous within the ballot findings, critics argue that eliminating the division would result in important disruptions in companies, doubtlessly derailing college students’ school journeys. Moreover, the lack of oversight might make college students and taxpayers susceptible to fraud and abuse of federal funds—one thing that contradicts the Trump administration’s purported targets of effectivity.
The general public’s concern over these proposals displays a broader skepticism of the administration’s method to governance, particularly relating to applications that instantly affect Individuals’ training and monetary futures. With the Schooling Division taking part in an important function in supporting pupil studying and safeguarding taxpayer {dollars}, many Individuals are questioning whether or not these proposed cuts and reforms are of their greatest curiosity.