“It is the long-standing belief of NAESP and its members of the importance of the U.S. Department of Education as a cabinet-level agency. Its existence signals that public education and the equitable access to educational excellence for every student in particular are national priorities. 

That is why we are dismayed that the Trump administration is seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education by unilateral executive action. The Department was created by Congress and its abolishment requires congressional approval as the White House well knows. 

Support for socio-economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities are the cornerstones of federal K-12 assistance to states and districts. The creation of the programs serving these students—Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—predate the creation of the U.S. Department of Education and must exist in any post-Department world.  

These programs and other federal initiatives such as professional development state grants and academic enrichment grants were created to provide assistance to states for the students and communities who need the most help. The funding requirements of these programs that were set by Congress must remain to ensure all the resources are delivered to districts and schools where student learning happens.”

—NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE