The executive branch entity tasked with overseeing federal support for education during the period from 2017 to 2021 experienced significant shifts in policy and priorities. This encompassed areas such as K-12 education, higher education, and student financial aid. For example, regulatory changes were implemented impacting the handling of sexual assault allegations on college campuses.
The department’s activities during this time are noteworthy due to their potential long-term impacts on the landscape of education in the United States. These actions touched upon crucial aspects like school choice initiatives, the interpretation of civil rights laws in educational settings, and the management of federal student loan programs. Historical context reveals a departure from some previous administrations’ approaches to federal involvement in education.