WESTMONT, IL—Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to begin eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.
“Education is the bedrock of American democracy. Eliminating the U.S. Department of Education by shuttering the agency and reassigning its duties would devastate millions of children, families, and communities. In Illinois, more than 2 million children in 4,000 preK-12 schools rely on Department of Education dollars — including 1.3 million low-income students who depend on $778 million in federal funding for critical support like free and reduced lunches and afterschool programs that help working parents. Students with disabilities depend on $652 million in federal aid for the services they need to learn and thrive. Nationwide, the department invests in higher education and workforce training, with $63 billion in student loans and $1 billion in Pell Grants that help 1.8 million students afford college and build a better future.
“We call on Congress to oppose this blatant attempt to siphon public dollars away from students and families and into the pockets of the wealthy through tax breaks and private school vouchers. Dismantling the Department of Education will destabilize working families and reward the rich and powerful at the expense of our students. The stakes could not be higher: A free, high-quality education for every student is not just a pathway to a livable future, it is the very foundation of our nation."