Changes to ED will disrupt student learning. It's time for this Network to speak up.

BY KEMBA HENDRIX

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it had signed six agreements with four separate federal agencies to transfer numerous programs as part of the ongoing push to eliminate the ED. Many of these programs benefit our Network, including higher education programs such as TRIO, GEAR UP, and Title III Part B Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and K-12 programs such as Titles I, II, and III, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. 

EdLoC strongly opposes this misguided action by the administration to further dismantle the ED and harm communities nationwide, particularly communities of color. The EdLoC Network knows the value of these programs, and our voices are needed in this moment. 

Transferring programs to other agencies will likely delay the administration and release of grant funds, increase bureaucracy, disrupt program operations, alter existing grant structures, and decrease overall efficiency. The agencies taking over these programs, including the Department of Labor, Department of the Interior, and Department of State, lack the skills, expertise, knowledge, and capacity to effectively administer the grants that our communities rely on. Put simply, youth and education are not their top priorities.    

At a time when students in the U.S. are already struggling, it is appalling to risk important federal funding, partnerships, and oversight of how schools are serving students. This is an incredibly vulnerable time for students as the achievement gap in math and reading continues to widen. Post-pandemic recovery efforts for learning loss are nowhere near complete and have been slower in communities of color and low-income areas. Funding delays and resource disruptions will only cause more harm, hurting all students and undermining educational opportunities. 

Now is the time for members, partners, and community leaders to contact your Congressional representatives and tell them to protect critical federal education investments.  

As you may recall, earlier this summer ED withheld billions in education funding from states. EdLoC, along with our partners, urged Congress to act and stand with our communities. Only then did pressure from Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, force the administration to release the funding. This shows us one thing: Congressional pressure can drive change, and our voices matter.  

It is up to us to tell Congress how these disruptions will affect our schools, hinder students' ability to learn, and limit educational opportunities for young people of color. Contact your Representative or Senator via email or schedule a meeting now while they’re in their home districts.