1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly oppose any efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. While I recognize there is room for improvement in our education system—our schools are overburdened, and our teachers are underappreciated—the solution is not to dismantle the very agency responsible for ensuring that all children, regardless of their zip code, have access to a quality education. Eliminating the Department of Education would: • Worsen educational inequality: Federal oversight helps ensure that children in underfunded districts are not left behind simply because of where they live. Without this, we risk an even more fractured system where some students receive a world-class education while others struggle without basic resources. • Open the door to curriculum censorship: Education should be based on facts and critical thinking, not political or religious agendas. Without federal protections, students in some states may be denied access to accurate science, history, and literature simply because of ideological differences. • Increase discrimination and reduce protections for marginalized students: The Department of Education enforces critical civil rights protections, ensuring students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and students of color are treated fairly in schools. Without federal oversight, many of these protections could be weakened or ignored. • Disrupt federal student aid: Millions of students depend on Pell Grants and federal loans to afford higher education. Shifting these programs to another agency could create confusion and unnecessary barriers to college access. I fully support reforms that reduce burdens on teachers, provide schools with better funding, and improve educational outcomes for all students. But eliminating the Department of Education would only deepen the challenges our schools face. I urge you to reject any legislation that would weaken our nation’s commitment to providing every child with a fair and equal education. I would appreciate hearing your position on this issue. Thank you for your time and service.