In the last few weeks we have heard of numerous plans to dismantle or weaken the Department of Education by the Trump administration. And while it comes as no surprise, given that Project 2025 lays out a roadmap for how to dismantle the Department of Education, it still feels shocking to see our public education system under threat.
Public education is meant to serve all students. Our public schools don’t get to choose which students to admit - they have to provide services to all students, including those with additional educational needs.
As we explain in the video, an IEP is an Individualized Education Plan, which provides a personal plan to help students with learning differences. These accommodations may be as simple as providing a student with extra time on tests, or time with a teacher dedicated to teaching to their needs. For many students, an IEP is the key to their academic success.
The Department of Education enforces and protects the right for students to receive an IEP. It also provides the funding for IEPs. If this federal protection no longer exists, many states will stop providing IEPs to students. This might seem minor to you, if you’ve never had a loved one struggle with learning. But for many families, losing an IEP would mean it would fall to the parents to try to make up for the learning differences. That could mean parents leaving the work force to provide more support for their children. Or it could mean that many kids are just left behind, struggling without support.
It is so important that we support the Department of Education and the protections it provides for public education. A public education is a right for all kids in America, regardless of citizenship, socio-economic status, or learning ability. Making sure everyone has access to a quality education is a win-win for the entire country.
