Friend,
Trump’s next move could destroy public education as we know it.
Any day now, Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education from within. His goal? To weaken and ultimately eliminate the agency responsible for ensuring equal access to quality public education.
This is not just political posturing. In fact, Trump is already finding drastic ways to gut the department’s potency – just yesterday, he authorized the firing of half of the Department of Education workforce. If Trump gets his way, millions of students, educators, and families will feel the consequences almost immediately.
Here’s what’s at stake:
Protections for students with disabilities could vanish. The Department enforces special education laws, ensuring children with disabilities receive the support they are entitled to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Without it, enforcement would be patchy at best, leaving countless students without necessary accommodations.
Students who face discrimination would have fewer protections. The Office for Civil Rights ensures schools comply with anti-discrimination laws, protecting students from racial, gender, and disability-based discrimination. If Trump shuts down the Department, these protections could be severely weakened, leading to unchecked discrimination and fewer resources to investigate violations.
Public school funding would be slashed. The Department administers billions of dollars in funding for public schools, particularly in low-income communities. Without it, schools could see drastic budget cuts, larger class sizes, and fewer resources for teachers and students.
The burden of paying for college would go up. Federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and low-interest loans, are managed by the Department of Education. If the agency is dismantled, the ability to oversee these programs and ensure students receive financial assistance would be thrown into chaos.
Our students would be less safe. The Department plays a key role in funding programs that help schools address bullying, mental health support, and campus safety measures. Eliminating these programs would leave students more vulnerable.
We cannot sit back and let this happen. The House and Senate must reject this attack on public education.
Trump and his enablers want to dismantle public education and leave it to the states, where extremist governors and legislators could redirect resources toward private schools, religious programs, or eliminate funding entirely. This is slash and burn to deprive millions of students of the education they deserve.
If we don’t act now, students in historically marginalized communities, students with disabilities, and families who rely on federal support will be the first to suffer.
Public education is a fundamental right. Let’s fight to protect it. >>
Thank you,
Alana Byrd
National Field Director
People For the American Way
P.S. We’re making sure as many people as possible know about Trump’s plan to gut public education. We worked alongside our partners at the American Federation of Teachers to support a new ad in POLITICO calling out this attack on students and schools.
Help spread the word by sharing it on social media. >>
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