Protect the DOE

I am writing to demand that you protect the Department of Education and its essential funding. As a concerned Iowan and parent, I have seen firsthand how critical these resources are for students across Iowa. Reducing or eliminating funding for the Department would have serious consequences for our children, families, and the future of our state. The Department of Education funds vital programs like IDEA and Title I, which support students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. My daughter received speech therapy through Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs), which previously visited her daycare. However, recent funding cuts have made these services harder to access. I was forced to miss work to take my child to appointments, a challenge many parents simply cannot afford. Early intervention services are critical, and any further cuts will hurt the most vulnerable children. While there’s always room for re form within the Department of Education, dismantling it would be disastrous for the majority of American parents, who are already feeling the effects of budget cuts in schools. Most parents simply want accessible, high-quality educational resources, but recent proposals to defund or dismantle the DOE completely disregard these needs. This out-of-touch approach shows a deep disconnect between the priorities of politicians and those of the average working family. Iowa, like many states, relies heavily on federal support from the Department of Education to ensure critical protections and resources. The DOE enforces Title IX protections, ensuring all students can learn in a discrimination-free environment, and monitors compliance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), providing crucial support to disadvantaged students. Iowa does not have the resources to ensure these protections alone. Additionally, the DOE funds career and technical education programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs and workforce training programs. These opportunities are critical for our students’ futures, but would struggle without federal oversight and funding. Last year, Iowa’s colleges and universities received over $91 million in federal funding, helping to keep tuition affordable and opening doors for thousands of students. The programs funded by the Department of Education are essential for ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Please act now to protect this funding and oppose efforts to dismantle the DOE. Our children’s futures are too important to be put at risk by political agendas that ignore the realities faced by everyday Americans.