March 21, 2025

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Take Action to Save the U.S. Department of Education!

The long anticipated Executive Order to dismantle the U.S. Department of
Education was signed this afternoon (March 20). Titled "[7]Improving
Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities," the
order represents a profound misunderstanding (or deliberate
misrepresentation) of the actual role of the Department. Under federal law,
the Department of Education has no role in curriculum or instruction, but
it is critical to providing educational opportunities to underserved
communities as required by several federal laws.

What the order ignores is the fact that a primary reason the cabinet-level
Department of Education was created 45 years ago is that some states had
been failing to provide equal protection or opportunities for all students.
The Department of Education ensures that every student, regardless of zip
code, family, or ability, has the same opportunity to receive a quality
education. Eliminating the Department of Education would strip our students
and families of vital civil rights and protections and further weaken a
foundation of our nation’s democracy - public schools.

As the White House knows, the Department of Education was established
through Congressional action, and an Executive Order has no legal authority
to dismantle it. Congress has the final word on the fate of the Department
of Education. We hope our members have more regard for the vital functions
of the Department of Education than the White House.

Compliance with Federal Laws. Without the U.S. Department of Education,
individual states that are already struggling with staffing and resource
issues will be left to monitor and enforce compliance with federal laws. We
need the federal Department to continue its critical role of ensuring that
federal laws are followed and families have an avenue for recourse when
they are not.

Loss of Funding. Without the federal funding, states would have to raise
corporate, sales, or property taxes to replace the funds.

[8]Title I Funding provides funds to low-income schools to help bolster
educational opportunities in disadvantaged communities. If this funding
goes to states as a block grant, it may be distributed at the whim of state
politicians

[9]Individual with Disabilities Act funding may go to states with no
strings attached. Before IDEA, students with disabilities were often
ignored or not given sufficient resources.

[10]Federal Student Loan Programs administered by the Department of
Education could be severely disrupted, jeopardizing the higher education
opportunities of millions of students.

Data Collection and Research [11]National Center for Education Statistics
and [12]Institute of Education Science serve the primary purposes of the
original Department of Education, established in 1867—they collect data and
conduct research on student achievement to inform educators and
policymakers on what’s working and what needs to change.

Help us protect this vital resource! Send a letter to your U.S. Senators
and House Representative urging them to support maintaining all of the
current responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education.

[13]Send a Letter to Your U.S. Rep. and Senators

Help us support public schools!

Public Schools First NC is a statewide nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit
focused solely

on pre-K to 12 public education issues. We collaborate with parents,
teachers, business and civic leaders, and communities across North Carolina
to advocate for one unified system of public education that prepares each
child for productive citizenship.

DONATE HERE

[14]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org

Questions? Contact us today at [email protected]

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Public Schools First NC
PO Box 37832
Raleigh, NC 27627
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