Public education in America is at a critical juncture. The push to dismantle the Department of Education is more than a policy debate—it’s a direct threat to students, families, and communities. If we don’t stand up now, we will lose the decades of progress we’ve worked so hard for. Our public schools will crumble, and millions of students will be left behind. 

In the past month, the Trump administration has issued several executive orders and proposals that will drastically reshape public education in the United States. These actions include an executive order titled “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families,” which directs federal agencies to explore ways to redirect public funds toward private and religious schools through expanded school choice programs. Another controversial order, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” seeks to curtail what the administration describes as “discriminatory equity ideologies” and “radical gender and race theories.” It proposes rescinding federal funding for schools engaging in such practices, despite legal limitations on the federal government’s ability to control local curricula. Trump implemented a massive reduction in force (RIF) in the U.S. Department of Education, which triggered mass layoffs, with thousands of Department of Education employees losing their jobs overnight.  And most frighteningly, after weeks of reports suggesting the administration was drafting an order to dismantle the Department of Education, Trump directed his Secretary of Education to abolish the department. All of these actions reflect an aggressive push to reshape education along ideological lines, sparking widespread concern among educators and advocates who fear long-term harm to public education.

None of these policies align with what voters want. In the 2024 elections, voters in states like Kentucky, Colorado, and Nebraska rejected voucher programs that divert public funds to private schools. These results highlight a widespread commitment to ensuring that public dollars are invested in public education, benefiting all students, not just a select few. As Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association noted, this opposition spans across political divides, uniting both progressive Democrats and rural Republicans who recognize the importance of local public schools.

And the threats go beyond funding. Voters in states like Oklahoma and Texas are pushing back against efforts to insert religious curricula into public schools. Leaders in California, Illinois, and Connecticut are reaffirming protections for immigrant and LGBTQ+ students, ensuring safe and welcoming learning environments for all.  Elected officials are ignoring the voices of voters—including many religious voters—who believe schools should remain inclusive and neutral spaces that respect diverse beliefs. 

This isn’t just about politics. It’s about the future of our schools and the well-being of our children.  If the Department of Education is dismantled, critical programs that support students with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income families will be gutted. Funding inequities would widen. Teacher shortages would worsen. Schools will struggle to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. 

Instead of tearing down the Department of Education, we should be strengthening it.  We should be focusing on evidence-based strategies that promote student success. Across the country, schools and districts are implementing innovative approaches to improving teacher effectiveness and helping students build the skills they need to thrive. These efforts are showing promising results, with some programs demonstrating significant reductions in failure rates and improvements in critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Parents and communities are clear: they want well-funded, inclusive schools that prepare students for the future. Policymakers must listen to these voices and prioritize investments in public education. 

The time to act is now. Parents, call your members of Congress and tell them to stand up for public education. Fight against these efforts to destroy the Department of Education. And invest in our children’s future.