President Donald Trump has taken executive action to dismantle the federal Department of Education. While the legality of such an action is unclear, the move has the attention of the state’s education community.
The idea of eliminating the federal Department of Education isn’t new in South Dakota – as Senator Mike Rounds previously introducing a bill proposing to do just that. But the president skipped the legislative process entirely and moved unilaterally to begin dismantling the DoE.
Trump says the move increases control at the state level, but critics say it takes a wrecking ball to the education system – and particularly hurts low-income students.
Tim Rave sits on the state Board of Regents, the body overseeing public colleges and universities. He said it’s perhaps too early to tell the precise implications of this decision.
“I think we’re watching it closely to make sure the services our students receive, the grants and laundry list of services they get, that they still will get those," Rave said. "We’re obviously waiting to see what the actual day-to-day logistics on that is, but as long as our students receive those services, I think we’re just watching.”
While Rave said the board will continue advocating for students, he’s wary of potential hangups.
“I think other than just the growing pains of learning a new process, we’re anxiously awaiting to see what the new details are,” Rave said.
However, he said he’s staying optimistic, so long as students are still coming first.
“Whether that be from the regental level or the student level, I think there will probably be some growing pains navigating any new process like there normally would be," Rave said. "As long as they can get to them, that’s what we’re worried about.”