The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) has expressed concern over President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. The organization highlights the potential impact on public education, emphasizing that “any effort to destroy the Department of Education represents a threat to core functions of the nation’s public education system.”
AFSA underscores the importance of federal programs like Title I, which supports low-income students, and IDEA, which provides services for students with disabilities. They warn that reducing or terminating these programs could lead to a significant reduction in essential services and shift financial burdens from the federal government to state and local governments.
The statement stresses that “programs like Title I, Title II, and other essential federal initiatives must be maintained,” even if transferred to different agencies. AFSA argues that maintaining funding for disadvantaged schools is crucial for closing achievement gaps.
Additionally, AFSA points out the significance of career and technical education (CTE) programs in preparing students for the workforce. They suggest integrating CTE into agencies focused on workforce development if the Department is dismantled.
The organization calls on Congress to intervene, stating: “We urge Congress to step in and stand firm in its commitment to public education by ensuring that the Department of Education and its vital federal programmatic resources are preserved.”
