President Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday to shut down the Department of Education–a major shakeup that could affect schools nationwide.
The federal layoffs are a key part of President Donald Trump’s plan to shutter the agency completely. Eliminating an agency requires an act of Congress but layoffs and funding cuts make any work at the department almost impossible to do.
Trump campaigned on the promise to shut down the department, saying it was necessary to eliminate what he says are unproductive workers and keep the most qualified staff. The president has also said that he hopes these cuts will move education closer to the local level.
“We want education to be moved back where the states run education,” said Trump. “Where the parents of the children run education. Where governors that are doing a very good job run education.”
To Jude Bruno, incoming president of the Florida PTA, making an already small agency like the Department of Education even smaller could make it less efficient. Services like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and programs like Head Start are overseen by the DOE.
“There are a lot of intricate programs and initiatives that are supported by the Department of Education. The issue is, are there going to be sufficient personnel to keep them going, and the second question is, are there going to be sufficient personnel to make them as robust as they were?” said Bruno.
United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats warns that the layoffs could disenfranchise students and deter potential educators, leading to a chilling effect across the state.
“There are people who have the right heart, the right mindset, the right attitude, that are justgiving up before they get started,” said Hernandez-Matz. “It’s gonna have a detrimental effect on our students.”
