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

The reckless, unprecedented push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education is stripping schools of vital funding; dismantling federal protections for students with disabilities, students in poverty, and other historically underserved populations; upending critical programs for students attending schools in rural and remote communities; ending data collection and research that shine a light on student learning; and jeopardizing access to quality education. This decision doesn’t just impact classrooms—it weakens our nation’s workforce, disrupts economic growth, and threatens our global competitiveness. Public education is not just a local issue—it’s a national investment in the future of our economy, democracy, and security. Eliminating the Department of Education will rock local budgets, increase property tax burdens on working families and seniors, deepen educational inequities, and leave students, particularly those with disabilities and from low-income backgrounds, without essential support. We must act now to stop this cruel and harmful plan. America’s ability to compete globally relies on a well-educated workforce. Cutting federal education funding will leave the U.S. trailing behind in science, technology, engineering, and innovation—while adversaries like China and Russia invest heavily in their education systems. Federal education funding supports workforce development, career and technical education, and access to college. Without it, students will face skyrocketing tuition, fewer job training opportunities, and an underprepared workforce—weakening the U.S. economy. The Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a high-quality education and a pathway to opportunity. Dismantling it would be a disaster for American students, workers, and the economy.