By Since his return to the political scene, Donald Trump has expressed his intention to deeply reform the U.S. Department of Education. His primary goal is to reduce the federal government’s influence in education and transfer this responsibility to state and local governments. At the heart of this initiative is the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a strategic entity led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
DOGE: A New Approach to Education
In November 2024, Trump announced that DOGE would play a central role in restructuring the Department of Education. This reform aims to optimize spending and streamline resources, with a target completion date of July 4, 2026. According to Ramaswamy, the main idea is to reduce reliance on federal funding and grant more autonomy to states to manage education.
AI Utilization and Data Privacy Concerns
One of DOGE’s most controversial initiatives is the use of artificial intelligence to analyze sensitive data from the Department of Education. This program utilizes Microsoft Azure services to examine financial and administrative information, including personal data of grant managers.
However, this strategy has raised concerns among Democrats, who fear potential privacy violations and misuse of personal information. Access to such sensitive data could pose ethical and legal issues if strict protective measures are not implemented.
Policy Changes and Controversies
Meanwhile, Trump signed an executive order banning federal funding for schools that teach gender-related theories and social equity concepts. This decision led to the paid leave of 55 Department of Education employees whose roles were linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
This policy is part of a broader strategy to eliminate certain programs that Trump and his allies consider incompatible with their conservative values.
What’s Next for DOGE and Education in the U.S.?
With DOGE at the helm, the U.S. education system could undergo major transformations. Decentralizing school funding may offer more freedom to states but also raises concerns about disparities between wealthier and less affluent regions.
Furthermore, the use of AI to optimize spending and administrative management will face numerous challenges, particularly in terms of data protection and transparency.
The DOGE project raises many questions: Is this a genuine modernization of the American education system or merely a political maneuver? Only time will tell whether this initiative will bring the expected changes or create new controversies.
