1. United States
2. Nev.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a member of a Nevada family that has been deeply involved in our state's education system for over four generations. We have dedicated our lives to fostering the growth and development of Nevada's students, and we share your commitment to ensuring the best possible educational opportunities for all. We have taken note of your support for the dismantling of the federal Department of Education, as reported in various news outlets, including the Las Vegas Review-Journal article on March 24, 2025. While we understand the desire for greater state control and reduced bureaucracy, we do have a significant concern regarding the potential impact on the availability and reliability of national education statistics. For decades, the federal Department of Education has played a crucial role in collecting and disseminating standardized education data across the nation. This data is vital for several reasons:   Benchmarking and Comparison: National statistics allow Nevada to compare its educational progress and student outcomes against other states and the country as a whole. This helps identify areas of strength and areas where improvement is needed.   Identifying Trends: Longitudinal national data helps track educational trends over time, informing policy decisions and resource allocation at both the state and local levels.   Accountability: National data provides a framework for accountability, ensuring that all states are working towards common goals for student achievement. Research and Innovation: Researchers and educators rely on national datasets to study educational practices, identify effective interventions, and drive innovation in the classroom. Our worry is that without a centralized federal entity responsible for collecting and standardizing this information, the consistency and comparability of education data across states may be compromised. This could make it more challenging for Nevada to accurately assess its progress, identify best practices from other states, and ultimately make data-driven decisions to benefit our students. We believe that maintaining a robust system of national education statistics is essential for the continued improvement of education in Nevada and across the country. We would be grateful if you could share your thoughts on how these critical data collection and analysis functions might be preserved or addressed in the absence of a federal Department of Education. Thank you for your time and dedication to the education of Nevada's children.