The Department of Education is critical in ensuring equal access to quality education for all students across the United States. It enforces essential protections like Title IX, supports students with disabilities through IDEA, and helps address disparities in funding and resources between states.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed dismantling the Department of Education. This move would remove federal oversight of education and jeopardize the future of millions of students, especially those in marginalized communities. Without federal leadership, states would be left to navigate education policy independently, leading to greater inequality and a lack of accountability.

Why This Matters:

• Student Loans: At public four-year colleges, 57% of low-income students rely on student loans to afford their education. Without federal oversight, these students could face even more significant financial burdens.
• FAFSA Applications: Millions of students depend on federal financial aid, with over 2.4 million applications submitted in California alone. Dismantling the Department of Education would disrupt access to these critical resources.
• Racial Disparities: FAFSA filing rates are highest among Black or African American students (83%) and American Indian or Alaska Native students (77%), highlighting the importance of federal programs in supporting underserved communities.
• Underfunding: 52% of adults agree that public community colleges are underfunded, with even higher agreement among Democrats (66%). Federal oversight is essential to address these funding gaps.
• Pell Grants: 81% of adults support increasing the maximum Pell Grant amount to help students with the greatest financial need. Eliminating the Department of Education would undermine this critical support.
• Head Start Programs: Over 1 million children benefit annually from Head Start programs, which provide critical early education and support services to low-income families.
• Title IX Protections: The Department of Education enforces Title IX, ensuring that students are protected from discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, fostering safe and inclusive learning environments.
  We cannot allow this to happen. Education is the foundation of our democracy, economy, and future. The federal government must continue to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a high-quality education.

We, the undersigned, urge Congress to reject any efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and to protect the federal oversight that ensures equal opportunity for all students.

We cannot allow this to happen. Education is the foundation of our democracy, economy, and future. The federal government must continue to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a high-quality education.

Please sign this petition to advocate for our students, teachers, and the future of education in America. Together, we can make a difference. Sign now to protect the Department of Education and ensure every child has access to a quality education!