1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's plans to dismantle the Department of Education are deeply concerning. The department plays a vital role in supporting students from underprivileged communities and those with disabilities. Its programs, like Title I funding for low-income schools and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provide critical resources that help level the playing field and ensure equal educational opportunities. Cutting these initiatives would disproportionately harm our most vulnerable students and widen existing achievement gaps. Furthermore, the department enforces important civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination. Its research arm, the Institute of Education Sciences, advances evidence-based practices to improve learning outcomes. Shuttering the department would undermine efforts to address inequities and raise academic standards nationwide. Rather than abolishing the Department of Education, we should be strengthening its ability to serve all students equitably. Education is a fundamental right and public good that catalyzes economic mobility and strengthens our democracy. I urge you to reject any attempts to defund or dismantle this essential agency and its programs. Our children's futures depend on a robust public education system supported at the federal level.