What does Trump’s Education Department order mean for KS, MO? Here’s what we know
The agency in charge of Missouri’s K-12 schools is still waiting for more information. The state’s flagship university is monitoring every new development closely.
In the hours after President Donald Trump signed an order seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Missouri’s educational agency and its institutions appeared to have more questions than answers.
From federal funding for schools to how college kids apply for student loans at the University of Missouri, the impact of Trump’s order largely remains unknown. While the order, and its potential effect, sent shockwaves across Missouri and the nation, actually abolishing the Education Department will still require action from Congress.
In Missouri, K-12 schools are overseen by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or DESE. The agency receives federal funding for a slew of programs, including child nutrition and special education.
In response to questions from The Star, Mallory McGowin, a DESE spokesperson, said in a statement that the agency was “awaiting further information and guidance” from the federal Education Department “to understand how these potential changes within USED may impact programs and funding administered by DESE.”
The order, signed Thursday, directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start dismantling the agency. On top of providing funding to states, the federal Education Department also oversees the nation’s roughly $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, sparking confusion over how Trump’s order might impact those who wish to take out loans.
The Republican president has said that the agency would no longer handle student loans and they would soon be overseen by the Small Business Administration, numerous outlets reported Friday.
When asked by The Star how loans — and the students who pay them — at the University of Missouri might be impacted, spokesperson Christopher Ave said the university was “closely monitoring developments regarding the Department of Education, and we will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state law.”
“We encourage prospective students to fill out financial aid applications at studentaid.gov, and we remain committed to supporting our current students and prospective students as well as the rest of our campus community,” Ave said.
What about Kansas?
Across the state line in Kansas, educational institutions also appeared to be taking a wait-and-see approach to Trump’s order. The Kansas State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education said in a statement on Friday that they were reviewing the order.
“For decades, federal support has played a critical role in ensuring equitable access to education, particularly for students with disabilities, those from low-income families, and rural communities,” the statement said.
The board and agency said they have been assured that funding will not be affected. However, they said they do not know what will happen to programs overseen by federal laws, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
“As we navigate this unprecedented transition, the State Board and KSDE remain committed to continue working with federal and state leaders, school districts, and community partners to protect educational opportunities for all students,” the statement said.
“We will clarify funding sources, policy implications, and legal obligations while maintaining close communication with schools to ensure a smooth transition with minimal classroom disruptions statewide,” the board and agency said.
The University of Kansas and the KU Medical Center did not respond to requests for comment Friday about how efforts to dissolve the federal department could impact current and former students who are still paying back loans they took out to attend school.
But Trump’s executive order comes a week after KU was named as the subject of a Department of Education civil rights investigation into “race-exclusionary practices” in its graduate programs. KU was among 45 universities brought under investigation for partnering with The Ph.D. Project, an organization that markets doctoral business degrees to students from diverse backgrounds.
It remains unclear how the federal probe could be impacted by new efforts to shutter the department.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM.
