Access to Education is a Right and Stepping Stone to Success for all Americans
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood alongside union leaders, elected officials, students, parents, and educators to warn of the disastrous consequences of President Trump’s threat to shut down the United States Department of Education (ED). If ED closes, the resulting chaos would mean over 2.6 million K-12 students at 4,800 New York schools could lose federal funding. This includes half a million New York students with disabilities who could lose nearly $1 billion in annual support, as well as nearly a quarter million English learners at New York schools who could be deprived of an annual $66 million that supports their education.
“President Trump’s threat to shutter the Department of Education is a reckless and unconstitutional move that would jeopardize the programs that help New York’s kids, families, schools, and communities thrive,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Trump administration is stealing from our children, our teachers, and our families to give tax breaks to the wealthy. It is jeopardizing our nation’s academic progress and our role in the global economy at the expense of our children, and we cannot stand for it. There should be no debate – defunding education defunds our future, and I will do everything in my power to protect the Department of Education.”
The Department serves students across the country by:
- Providing funding to support the nation’s most vulnerable students through Title I grants
- Funding special education programs for students with disabilities
- Administering Pell Grants for low-income college students
- Supporting school improvement programs to improve education outcomes
- Funding programs to promote mental health and after-school activities
These programs could be in jeopardy if the Department of Education were shut down. Even a temporary disruption could be devastating for students, their families, and educators.
If ED were shut down, the impact on New York families would be devastating:
- Over 2.6 million K-12 students at 4,800 schools throughout the state could lose federal funding
- 525,000 New York students with disabilities could miss out on $984 million in annual support
- Schools could be deprived of $12 million in mental health supports
- 392,000 New York students could lose the $1.9 billion in Pell Grants that help them afford college
- 247,000 English learners at New York schools could be deprived of an annual $66 million that support their education.
“I stand with my colleagues across levels of government, advocates, teachers, and students, deeply disturbed by President Trump’s illegal and dangerous threat to dismantle the United States Department of Education. I am deeply concerned about the implication of this decision for federal funding sources our schools and State Department of Education rely on, including Title I and III funds, and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act funding,” said State Senator Shelley B. Mayer. “The fundamental idea that every child, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, or what challenges they may have, is entitled to a free public education is a bedrock of our democracy. I implore my Republican Colleagues in D.C. to reject this threat and join us in the fight to protect public education. I thank Senator Gillibrand for standing up for children across the country and everyone who joined us today and every day in the fight for children’s education.”
“Our students cannot be collateral damage. This administration may want to close buildings or move staff around, but the federal government has a legal responsibility to our children that cannot be dismantled,” said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. “The students who depend on federal support, whether through special education or programs that address poverty, have to be protected.”
“If Donald Trump is truly interested in the success of the next generation, why would he divest the federal government of its role in creating educational opportunity for all kids in America? Dismantling the department—which, by the way, only Congress can do—tells working families that the president doesn’t really care about their children’s futures. And for what? To give billionaires tax cuts so they can become even wealthier. This move, in the middle of CTE month, will only hurt opportunity and exacerbate inequality—and we will fight it tooth and nail,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
“As a former educator and Chair of the City Council’s Education Committee, I know firsthand how devastating the loss of federal education funding would be for our students, families, and schools,” said New York City Council Member Rita Joseph. “President Trump’s reckless threat to shut down the U.S. Department of Education puts the future of over 2.6 million New York students at risk, including half a million students with disabilities and nearly a quarter million English learners. This is an attack on the very foundation of public education, and we will not stand by while our children’s futures are put in jeopardy.”
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