NEW YORK — President Trump’s call to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education undermines decades of progress in civil rights, educational equity, and workforce development. The department plays a key role in upholding equality protections for students. Without it, we risk rolling back progress in addressing systemic inequities, leaving students unprotected from discrimination. EdTrust-New York calls on state leaders to step up and ensure that students, especially students of color–including Black, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Native American students, those from low-income backgrounds, multilingual learners, LGBTQIA students, and students with disabilities, continue to receive the resources and protections they need, regardless of federal changes. With the potential end of Title I and III funding and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) protections, New York must ensure that critical resources remain in place to support these students. Additionally, with student loans being a vital lifeline for first-generation college students, the state must advocate for continued support for these programs, which are essential for students’ access to higher education and the workforce. As the federal government abdicates its oversight responsibility, New York must bolster its accountability systems to track progress, address inequities, and provide the necessary support to close educational gaps. In the face of potential federal rollbacks, New York has a responsibility to protect these vital services and ensure all students have equal access to high-quality education and postsecondary opportunities.
For more on how eliminating the Department of Education will impact NY students, read our blog.
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About EdTrust-New York:
EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that all students, especially Black, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Native American students and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.