The AI Chalkboard Issue #10: The The Future of U.S. Education

Today’s post was written by Sanyukti Parab, a recent graduate as an international student in the Savannah College of Art and Design Master’s in Fine Arts Program in Advertising and Marketing. Sanyukti is also a frequent contributor to the content and mission of AI Literacy Partners and a vital part of our outreach to educators and administrators across the educational spectrum.

Sanyukti has a passion for human-first creativity and artistic expression. Through our dialogues and working relationship, I have come to appreciate her dedication to preserving and expanding cognition and creative expression in the age of AI. I have learned a great deal from her about the nuances of art, design, and marketing. Even further, she is the creator of the beautiful infographics you see at the top of each of these emails.

Below is her take on the recent political developments surrounding calls for the elimination of the Department of Education. Personally, I appreciate the opportunity to hear from someone who was very recently a full-time student and can bring the perspectives that are so rarely brought to the fore of our conversations. Without further ado, please enjoy Sanyukti’s summary and take on a very important development for all American citizens, both inside and outside of the education system.

~Mike Kentz

What’s happening across U.S Educational Institutions?

By Sanyukti Parab

In a recent development, President Trump’s stated goal of closing the Department of Education has raised serious concerns amongst a wide range of stakeholders, as it threatens funding for schools across the U.S. Republicans have been critical of student loan forgiveness and policies related to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs. The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools in the United States. Around 7.5 million students are provided federal grants which include needy schools and programs, funds to pay teachers of children with special needs, arts programs and replace outdated infrastructure. It supports 26 million children living in poverty; and manages federal student loans and grants for higher education. It also ensures the quality of the curricula and works to guarantee equal access to education for all children in America.

The Department of Education faces a $600 million cut in funding for teacher training on what has been deemed “inappropriate and unnecessary topics”. This has further widened educational inequality and shed light on how U.S laws and institutions embeds critical race theory while rejecting curricula perceived as too liberal or excessively focused on America’s history of racial discrimination. Supporters of DEI policies argue that understanding institutional racism is necessary to address systemic inequality.

Furthermore, the Education Department under Trump’s administration issued a memo giving schools and universities an ultimatum, to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal money. It also disregards the use of racial preferences as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring or other areas. These measures disproportionately impact minority communities. Some educators have voiced their outrage, quickly assessing the risks and organizing in response. Their response is aimed at correcting what the memo described as rampant discrimination in education, often against white and Asian students. Additionally, it states that colleges cannot remove standardized testing requirements if the goal is to influence racial balance or boost diversity. In recent years, many colleges nationwide have stopped requiring SAT and ACT scores, arguing that these tests tend to advantage students from wealthier backgrounds.

This situation has created a climate of uncertainty, an unnerving atmosphere amongst students, educators, DEI policy makers as the Education Department is being threatened under Trump’s administration. As students plan for college, the last thing they need is doubt over whether they will receive the financial aid they rely on. One Department of Education employee remarked, “The administration is trying to “create the conditions for people to want to depart.” I believe they intentionally leaked info on the push to abolish the Department of Education to push people toward taking the ‘fork in the road’ deal. It would be catastrophic for our country, especially the impacts to Title I schools and special education.”

During his first term, Trump appointed Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education who encouraged diversity training. However, in his second term, all the employees who participated in those training have been placed on administrative leave. This has created fear within the department, leading many to consider leaving due to the administration’s policies.

As a recent graduate student and an international student myself, I find this alarming. The younger generation is eager to learn, regardless of their backgrounds, cultures, or hardships. Schools and universities are among the few places where they feel a sense of equity and belonging. If educational institutions begin violating the laws that protect minorities, people of color, and students from diverse backgrounds, it essentially disregards the injustices and moral burdens that certain racial groups bear while others do not. It strips away individuality and enforces a one-size-fits-all approach. As educators and students, we have a responsibility to advocate for an education system that remains inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all. Having open conversations about these policy changes, their impact, and what they mean for marginalized communities. We can create safe spaces for discussion, mentorship, and community support. Equity in education is not just about policies, but about people, about community.

As John Dewey once said, “Education is the process of living.” In the current state of the country, education equity is at stake. The learning environment is not safe anymore, especially for Black and Brown students and students with disabilities, who have historically been marginalized and criminalized by the public school system. Education is the very foundation of good citizenship. It teaches young people critical values about culture, democracy, and their roles in society. With the Department of Education under attack, what does this mean for all of us as educators?

Sanyukti Parab

Content Creator & Designer