Opposition to Trump’s Plan to Shutter the U.S. Department of Education
The move by President Donald Trump to close the U.S. Department of Education has sparked widespread criticism from students, education advocates, and Democratic state lawmakers. A news conference was held at the Texas Capitol in Austin to express opposition to the plan. State Rep. Gene Wu of Houston warned that the city’s students, particularly those who are disadvantaged, would be severely affected by the closure.
Impact on Disadvantaged Students
Wu emphasized that Houston’s students are already in need of more funding, and the closure of the Department of Education would exacerbate the problem. "Our education system has already gone over the cliff," Wu said. "It is hanging on by its very fingernails and they are slipping." The closure would result in a loss for not only Texas but also for many families who are struggling to survive.
Student-Led Opposition
The news conference was organized by Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a student-run organization co-founded by Cameron Samuels, a 2022 Katy ISD graduate. Samuels stated that Houston students are in a unique position due to the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of Houston ISD. The lack of elected representation on the school board, combined with the potential closure of the federal education agency, would leave local students without a safety net.
Implications for Texas Students
The dismantling of the Department of Education would have severe implications for Texas and its communities. Samuels noted that this is happening at a time when state lawmakers are debating a school voucher-like program that would provide public funding for private-school tuition, potentially decreasing state funding for public schools. "All these issues are happening in context with one another and don’t occur in a vacuum," Samuels said. "And this landscape we’re seeing in Texas harms students, it harms our futures, our future of Texas."
Role of the Department of Education
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in overseeing the distribution of federal funds to campuses, particularly in low-income and rural areas. The federal agency is also responsible for enforcing civil rights laws at schools. Samuels has been relying on the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate a complaint they filed last year regarding Katy ISD’s gender policy.
Uncertainty Surrounding Civil Rights Investigation
In 2023, Katy ISD’s school board adopted a policy requiring students to use restrooms and locker room facilities corresponding with their biological sex. The policy also requires district administrators to notify students’ parents or guardians if they identify themselves as transgender or ask to be addressed by pronouns that do not align with their gender at birth. Samuels filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging that the policy discriminates against queer and transgender students. However, with the potential closure of the Department of Education, the status of the investigation is uncertain.
Concerns for Students with Disabilities
Judith Cruz, a former elected trustee for HISD, expressed concerns about how the deconstruction of the federal department may leave students with disabilities and special needs without protections. "What I’m understanding is the federal administration is currently saying the funding will still be there, it’s just being moved to other departments, right?" Cruz said. "But the question is: What will that implementation look like? And if some of the funding gets pushed down to the states, then who is responsible for making sure that there is compliance with the law, that those protections are indeed in place, and that students are receiving the services that they are entitled to?"
Conclusion
The plan to shutter the U.S. Department of Education has sparked widespread opposition from students, education advocates, and Democratic state lawmakers. The potential closure would have severe implications for Texas students, particularly those who are disadvantaged, and would leave them without a safety net. The uncertainty surrounding civil rights investigations and the potential loss of protections for students with disabilities are just a few of the concerns raised by the plan. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to consider the impact on students and the future of education in Texas.
