Friend,

Trump has just signed an executive order attempting to shut down the Department of Education –– gutting an essential service and cornerstone of our democracy.

Since its creation in 1979, the Department has been a beacon of support for students, teachers and families, ensuring access to quality education for all students, but especially students who have faced historic and ongoing discrimination.

This is on top of what the administration has already done –– lay off nearly half the staff at the department and cancel $900 billion in contacts to key programs. Enough is enough.

While the executive order and the recent cuts to staff by DOGE are a clear attack on federal oversight of public education, it’s ultimately Congress’ responsibility to safeguard our children from this draconian order. Contact your member of Congress NOW, and urge them to reject efforts to shut down the Department of Education.

The executive order threatens the Department’s core functions — funding public schools, administering student loans, supporting low-income students and students with disabilities, and ensuring all children have equitable access to a safe, high-quality education.

Under This order directs the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” This is nothing more than an attempt to privatize public education and reserve it for a few.

If implemented, the order would lead to:

• Cutting approximately 180,000 teaching positions in Title I schools, affecting 2.8 million students in low-income communities;

• More barriers for students with disabilities to receive the services and support they need and deserve;

• Further gutting the Department’s Office for Civil Rights, which would leave millions of students susceptible to discrimination;

• Losing federal financial aid for college, leading to increased student dropout rates and less economic opportunities throughout their lives.

For decades, the Department of Education has played a pivotal role in establishing policies, ensuring accountability and promoting equal access to education.

Yet, instead of strengthening this essential service, the administration is further weakening support for low-income communities, pushing privatization of education and stripping students of their protections.

Tell your member of Congress to do their due diligence –– reject efforts to shut down the Department of Education NOW.

In solidarity,

The Southern Poverty Law Center