Changes are coming to the Department of Education under the Trump administration and whether it closes or is significantly downsized, its role in defending civil rights for students could be weakened.

The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979 to track, manage and coordinate education programs and procedures at the federal level. Trump advisers have said they want to call on Congress to abolish the department, a move that's been floated over the years by Republicans but has always failed to gain widespread support.

At her confirmation hearing last week, Linda McMahon, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of education, walked a thin line. On the one hand, she needed to assure Congress and the American people that she was fit for a cabinet-level position.

Open investigations into Kentucky school districts and universities are related to racial, gender and disability discrimination.

As the Trump administration continues to downsize and dismantle many government agencies, the Department of Education could be next on the chopping block. At stake are resources and support for more than seven million students with disabilities who depend on the agency to ensure access to a free public education.

Trump Administration making strides to either shrink or eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Here's how Louisiana schools could be impacted.

Superintendent Robert Taylor says Wake schools is trying to understand the implications of Trump’s executive orders and policy proposals.

Approximately 7.5 million American students receive Special Education in public school under 13 categories of disability.

The Department of Education closed applications for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and loan consolidation applications in response to a federal court blocking parts of student loan repayment plans.