The Trump Administration is considering drafting an Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education.
However, the Department of Education was established by Congress, and it can only be dismantled by Congress. House Republicans reintroduced H.R. 899, a one-line bill, “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2026.”
We must raise our voice and let our representatives know that this bill cannot pass.
An important fact to remember is that the Department of Education’s main role is financial. Dismantling it would disrupt programs that disburse federal student aid, negatively impacting all students that receive student loans and Pell grants. To qualify for a Pell grant, you must show legitimate need. 47%, nearly half, of College Fund and Tribal scholars demonstrate that financial need, and rely on Pell grants to complete their education.
The Department of Education also provides federal funding for public schools and the ability to enforce civil rights protections for all students in education, protecting against discrimination based on characteristics like disabilities, religion, race, and sex.
Like with the other executive orders and acts of this administration, Native students would experience tremendous hardships, and be uniquely impacted by this action.
As we previously shared here, the relationship between the federal government and Indian Tribes is grounded in treaty rights, many of which were codified before the United States was even formed, and they continue to this day.
For example, the Native Career and Technical Education program trains people for skilled and highly skilled jobs. Title III of the Higher Education Act develops and improves academic and vocational programs, infrastructure, and increases financial stability. Professional development grants pay for local teacher and school administrator training. The Native Language Resource Center provides vital resources to endangered Native languages.
These programs don’t only provide for Native students, but Native students stand to lose much more, much more quickly, than many others. We know you care for our scholars – and as a supporter, we need your voice right now.
Here’s the short version: Eliminating the Department of Education would devastate public schools, hurt students with disabilities, strip away civil rights protections for millions of students, and eliminate crucial workforce development programs that boost our economy. Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthy.
Please, call your elected officials in Congress today and let them know why dismantling the Department of Education threatens the future for thousands of Native and non-native students.
To find your representative’s and senator’s contact information, use this USA.gov tool.
Here is a simple script to get you started:
Hello, my name is (blank). My zip code is (tell them your zip code) and I am a supporter of education and the American Indian College Fund.
I am aware that the Trump Administration is ready to issue an Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. I also understand that since the Department of Education was established by Congress, it can only be dismantled by Congress. H.R. 899., reintroduced by House republicans has one line and one purpose only: “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2026.”
Eliminating the Department of Education would devastate public schools, hurt students with disabilities, strip away civil rights protections for millions of students, and eliminate crucial workforce development programs that boost our economy. If you believe that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthy, show it by standing up for the Department of Education.
This is an attack on all students and Native students are at the center of this attack. Dismantling the Department of Education threatens the future for thousands of Native and non-native students.
I am informing you that, as a constituent, I do not support gutting our educational system. Please do not allow Congress to dismantle the Department of Education.
Thank you for your time.
