The future of the Department of Education and its impact on KY

Possible executive order raises questions over funding and local impact

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Trump administration is reportedly preparing an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education.

Local educators are sharing insight into what this could mean for Kentuckians. The executive director of the Kentucky Association of Professional Educators, Donna House, says she does not expect major changes at the local level for public schools.

“I think we’ll see very little disruption if any at all,” House said.

According to reports,  the executive order could be issued as soon as this week. Experts say Congress would likely need to act if the department were dismantled altogether.

There are questions about funding and what would happen to the dispersal of federal funding for public schools. House says most funding for public schools is already left to the state.

“Educational funding, resources, the majority of your programs are implemented state by state at the state level, as well as graduation requirements and curriculum, all of that is mandated at the state level,” House said.

Federal funding makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets, with colleges and universities more dependent on it.

However, there are concerns that dismantling the Department of Education could impact federal grants and programs it oversees, including Title IX.

ABC 36 has reached out to the Kentucky Democratic Party for a statement and is awaiting their response.