For over forty years, USED has provided vital education funding for New Jersey’s public school students, ensuring our students have access to special education, school lunches, and after-school programs.
Despite their claims to be turning education decisions “back to the states”, the reality of this move is a unilateral power grab to gain federal influence over our local schools. Furthermore, this attempt to shutter the department exposes our tax dollars to being raided by his billionaire allies. Make no mistake, Trump’s education cuts are going to cost public school employees dearly, and students in New Jersey will suffer.
Understand the impact of these cuts in New Jersey
Moving these vital functions to a different federal agency will result in equally bad outcomes. As Musk, a major Trump donor, is being given carte blanche as an unelected bureaucrat to slash agency staffing across the government, there are fewer and fewer staff to manage these programs to ensure education dollars make it where they belong: in the classroom.
Title I
Thousands of students in New Jersey’s low-income communities depend on Title 1 for smaller class sizes, free/reduced lunch, and learning specialists. New Jersey’s school funding is in limbo as the Trump administration plays political games with your tax dollars.
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides support for students with disabilities in New Jersey. If this funding is transferred to another department, it puts our most vulnerable students at a disadvantage.
Financial Aid
The US Education Department administers Pell Grants, federal student loans, and loan repayment. Letting Trump’s billionaire friends get their hands on this program will prove disastrous for our college-bound students as well as graduates.
Office for Civil Rights
USED’s Office for Civil Rights protects students against discrimination in school. Eliminating this office or moving it to the Department of Justice would leave students vulnerable to discrimination, making schools less safe for students and impacting academic outcomes.
