At the National Parent Leadership Institute (NPLI), we believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of where they live, their background, or how much money their family makes. Parents, who are their children’s first and most important teachers, understand that education shapes a child’s future, and families must have a say in shaping policies that impact their children’s learning.
The executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education raises serious concerns about the future of federal programs that provide critical support to students nationwide. While completely closing down the Department requires congressional approval, this executive order has started a chain of reactions that could disrupt several key areas, such as:
Federal Student Aid
The Department of Education currently manages approximately $1.7 trillion in federal student loans, along with programs like Pell Grants and work-study opportunities. Transferring these responsibilities to other agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, may lead to administrative challenges, potentially affecting financial aid distribution and loan servicing for millions of students.
Support for Low-Income and Special Needs Students
Programs like Title I funding, which helps low-income schools, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides services for students with disabilities, rely on federal oversight and funding. Changes to the department threaten the consistent delivery of these critical services.
Civil Rights Enforcement
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights plays a vital role in enforcing federal civil rights laws in educational settings, addressing issues such as discrimination, and ensuring equal access to education. Reductions in staff and resources may interfere with the enforcement of these protections.
Programs like these exist so that all children, especially those with disabilities and those in historically underserved communities, have access to opportunities that help them succeed. Without these safeguards in place, families and communities may be left struggling to fill the gaps on their own.
Advocating for Equity
We value the role of local and state leadership in education, and we know that a strong federal commitment that includes oversight and funding is necessary to uphold education standards, protect students’ rights, and support the hardworking families that are navigating the education system. Education policy should not be reshaped swiftly by a stroke of a pen without meaningful input from the people most affected, including parents, educators, and students. Removing this national commitment to fairness and opportunity in education puts in place an inequitable system and puts critical support for education for children across the country at risk.
If you believe this decision will negatively impact your family or community, we encourage you to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and share your perspective with them.
Civic engagement is a cornerstone of our democracy, and policymakers need to hear directly and regularly from the people who best understand the needs of children and families. We invite leaders at every level to listen to the voices of those who are most affected and ensure that all children, no matter where they come from, have the chance to succeed.