Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, highlighting the political motivations and implications of such actions, particularly in the context of cultural wars and local governance [1][4][5]. Group 1: Reasons for Dissolution - The push to dissolve the Department of Education has been a long-standing goal of the Republican Party, emphasizing the belief that education should be managed at the local level rather than by the federal government [4]. - Recent political movements, including the 2023 "2025 Plan" by the American Enterprise Institute and proposals from the America First Policy Institute, have made the dissolution of the Department of Education a priority [4][5]. Group 2: Current Actions and Implications - Following a Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration has begun large-scale layoffs within the Department of Education, with over a thousand employees notified of their termination [1][6]. - Key functions of the Department are being outsourced to other government agencies, such as the transfer of vocational education management to the Department of Labor [6][7]. - The management of federal student loans, amounting to $1.6 trillion and involving 43 million borrowers, is expected to be transferred to the Department of the Treasury, which could lead to significant disruptions in the student loan system [7]. Group 3: Impact on Education and Employees - The layoffs have already resulted in a significant reduction in staff within the Department's civil rights office, which is crucial for addressing discrimination complaints from international students [8]. - There has been a reported 40% decrease in the number of resolved cases related to civil rights complaints, alongside a 9% increase in new complaints, indicating a backlog and potential decline in service quality [8]. - The withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal funds intended for various educational programs has raised concerns about the support for English learners and immigrant families [8].