Strengthen, Don’t Dismantle, the Department of Education

Public education is the backbone of a strong, thriving democracy, yet the current administration is intent on dismantling the Department of Education. This is not leadership—it’s sabotage. Instead of gutting public education, we must invest in it by increasing funding, supporting teachers and administrators, and ensuring that every child—regardless of income—has access to quality education. For generations, public schools have provided children with opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have had. Education is one of the few ways we can break the cycle of poverty, yet year after year, funding is slashed, schools are stigmatized, and the push toward privatization threatens to make quality education a privilege rather than a right. Privatization is not the solution—it’s a death sentence for opportunity. We must take action to: • Fully fund public schools so they can hire and retain great teachers, provide necessary resources, and keep class sizes manageable. • Increase salaries for educators who are overworked, underpaid, and often expected to fill gaps in social services without proper support. • Expand access to counselors, special education services, and mental health support to address the wide range of challenges students face. • Strengthen the Department of Education, rather than dismantling it, to ensure oversight, equity, and national standards that prevent discrimination and exploitation. My mother’s life was shaped by public education—not just as a student, but as a teacher and administrator. She saw firsthand how dedicated educators change lives, often stepping in to provide support that struggling families couldn’t. Without public education, so many children would never have a fair shot at success. When she passed away in 2020, I heard from countless former students who told me that, because of her, they had managed to weather terrible storms—many going on to build stable careers and families they once thought were out of reach. Public education is one of the greatest equalizers we have. If we continue starving it of resources, we are condemning millions of children to a future with fewer opportunities. I urge you to stand firm in support of public schools, reject efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, and push for meaningful investments in our nation’s students and teachers.