Following an executive order issued in late March to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), lawmakers and educators are examining the potential consequences for state education systems. Although the closure process is in its early stages, uncertainty remains regarding how much funding will be lost by states like Utah.
In Utah, the federal government provides a relatively minor portion of the overall public education budget, with the Legislature appropriating $598.7 million in estimated federal funding for FY 2026. This represents roughly 7.0% of the total appropriation.
However, the impact varies significantly across specific programs. For example, federal funds account for approximately 19% of total special education funding, as Utah receives about $142.6 million in federal IDEA funding alongside $600.0 million in state funds. Changes to how federal laws are implemented could affect service delivery, though block granting might offer more flexibility to the state.
In the area of Title Programs, which support students facing economic disadvantage or homelessness, federal funds make up about 32% of the total funding dedicated to at-risk students. This includes $62.7 million in federal funding compared to $130.5 million in state appropriations for the Students At-Risk WPU Add-on program.
Other programs show different levels of federal dependency. Career and Technical Education (CTE) relies on federal funding for less than 5% of its total budget, with $16.8 million in federal Perkins grants supporting state-funded initiatives.
Conversely, Child Nutrition Programs face a much higher level of federal involvement. The federal government provides approximately 86% of the $354.4 million used to support school meals in Utah. Because these programs are overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA), they may face less risk from the DOE closure, though other agricultural reforms could still impact funding for local products.
The immediate financial risk appears low because federal education grant programs have been renewed for the upcoming fiscal year. Fully eliminating these programs and their governing laws would require an act of Congress, and no timeline or official comment from Congress has been established. Additionally, the State Board of Education receives approximately $20.0 million in other minor federal grants focused on student assessment and accountability.
