President Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education is expected to affect the Philadelphia community. Trump promised throughout his campaign that he would eliminate the department and has taken steps toward keeping his word, beginning with massive staff cuts. 

The Department of Education employed 4,133 individuals at the start of the year but now employs about 2,183. The consequences of these staff cuts and the very real possibility of losing government aid upon the department’s closure will directly affect Philadelphia and its community.

Tony Watlington, the School District of Philadelphia’s superintendent, said the city receives roughly 10% of its education budget from the federal government, a sum that, if removed, would hinder the school system’s ability to adequately fund its schools and programs. Although the school system has yet to be informed of any impending budget cuts, uncertainty surrounding the future of federal funding for education justifies concerns that the city will lose necessary funds.

While the fate of Philadelphia’s federal funding is unknown, the closure of several branches of the Office for Civil Rights is certain to impact the city’s school system. The Office for Civil Rights is a department within the Department of Education that holds schools accountable for “combating antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and discrimination against students with disabilities.” The Office for Civil Rights closed seven of its 12 locations this month, leaving the remaining five branches with a large backload of cases. These cuts will significantly slow the resolution of discrimination cases in Philadelphia. 

Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education by closing seven offices dedicated to fighting discrimination falls in line with many of the other priorities of his second term. In just two months, the Trump administration has made policy decisions intended to take the United States back in time, rolling back provisions designed to promote diverse, inclusive environments and removing protections for marginalized individuals. Without funding from the department and the guaranteed protection from discrimination in schools, the Philadelphia community will feel the effects of Trump’s bid to end equality.