Department of Education

The DOE has origins way back to 1867. President Andrew Jackson created it. Its sole purpose was to collect information and stats about the nations schools. It did not last very long, as Congress demoted it to the Department of the Interior.

In 1965, The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed into law by Lyndon B Johnson. It was the first large injection of federal dollars into the classroom. This act was a part of the Presidents war on poverty. Its purpose was to close the gap in reading and math.

In 1979 President Jimmy Carter oversaw the creation of the modern still in exsistence Department of Education. Before this was law, the education system was under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The biggest teachers union, The National Education Association (NEA) endorsed Carter as a candidate. He was the first presidential candidate they had ever endorsed. It is said he pushed this due to their endorsement. The NEA was all in for the DOE. They were and are still a very powerful union in DC. Carter was met with a lot of opposition from members of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. They were not willing to give up their power. There was also a lot of opposition from outside interest groups. They did not want a stand alone department. Eventually passed and the Department of Education was born. It did not have control over what a school could teach, but it played a big role in regulations. It has the power to fine schools and to write rules. By mid 2010 the agency had nearly 4,300 staffers and a 60 billion dollar budget. Over the years every president has pushed policy agendas that are often undone or rewritten. This department has always had controversy surrounding it. Many feel the federal Government should have no role in education. Many feel the DOE has become too big and too powerful and does not serve the needs of the schools. During Covid many felt the department hurt children by refusing to reopen schools. It was excessive and did damage to childrens learning ability. Many feel it is just another beaurocracy that is over bloated.

The salary range for 4,000+ DOE employees is $144,698.00-$254,821.00

The mid range salary for our teachers is $59,200.00

Teachers are on the frontline. They now have to put up with a lot in todays school climate. They have to take money from their own pockets to supply their classrooms. Students are harder to teach and some of the regulations hurt the student. Schools are falling apart!

I think giving it back to the state and localities is better. Money given to the DOE can go where it is needed most.

Special needs programs will go to the Department of Health. Grants, financial aid and such will go to the SBA as of now. I think it is time for change. Our children need to be ready for the future. If they are not well educated in K-12 they will be at a terrible disadvantage. We have great teachers in the system! I know some of them in my area. They deserve the tools to teach and have the power back they had when I was in school.