1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep dismay over the recent firing of 169 staffers at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). As a PhD student in the field of education, I have long admired the essential work of the NCES in maintaining the data infrastructure that supports our public education system. The loss of these professionals—and the broader threat to NCES itself—jeopardizes the integrity of our education system at a time when we should be strengthening it, not dismantling it. Public education has historically been the backbone of American democracy, providing access to knowledge and opportunity for all. There was a time when our education system was the envy of the world, emulated by other nations. However, after decades of defunding and the systematic deskilling of the teaching profession, our once-thriving public education system has suffered. Instead of taking meaningful steps to rebuild and reinvest in public education, shuttering the NCES signals yet another attack on the very foundation of an informed citizenry. The NCES provides crucial, nonpartisan data that guides policymakers, educators, and researchers in making informed decisions about education at all levels. Weakening or eliminating this institution is not a solution to our current education crisis—it is a step toward dismantling public education altogether. This is not just an attack on schools; it is an attack on democracy itself. I had hoped to contribute to the vital work of NCES after graduation, continuing its mission to provide accurate, unbiased data to support education policy and practice. But how can I do so when politicians seem determined to undermine its existence? I urge you to stand up for the NCES, for the educators and researchers who rely on its work, and for the millions of students whose futures depend on a strong, well-supported public education system. Please use your position to advocate for the restoration of these jobs and the long-term stability of the NCES. Our nation’s students, educators, and researchers are counting on your leadership.