1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to join with hundreds of state officials and Governors and press hard on Congress and the alleged Secretary of Education to keep the U.S. Department of Education open. As our elected state legislators committed to ensuring equal educational opportunity, I implore you: we cannot lose the collaborative framework by simply letting the Trump Administration shut it down. The U.S. Department of Education plays a vital role in protecting students' civil rights, promoting educational equity, and supporting marginalized students. Closing the department would disrupt essential funding for students from low income families, students with disabilities, English language learners, and others facing significant barriers to educational success. Losing the Dept. of Ed. would also weaken oversight and enforcement of civil rights laws, data collection efforts to identify inequities, and the ability to respond to discrimination complaints. Eviscerating the federal role undermines that collaborative framework I spoke of between federal, state, and local entities that has enabled progress and stability in our education system. While states have primary responsibility for administration, the federal government plays an irreplaceable role as a partner in advancing equity and protecting students' rights. Upholding the Department of Education is crucial to fulfilling our shared responsibility, federal and state, of providing all students with access to high-quality early learning, evidence-based instruction, rigorous coursework, and affordable higher education. Please use your relationships at the federal level to pressure Congress to keep the Department open.