Tell Congress: Do Not Abandon our National Commitment to Education

Right now, there is a real threat that the Trump administration and the majorities in the House and Senate will eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Preserving the national commitment to education, including the funding and resources on which our schools, students, and families rely, is one of NACAC’s highest priorities. We need your help in letting your elected officials know: DO NOT eliminate or dismantle the Department of Education.

Dear [Lawmaker],

As someone who works with students and families each day to help create a better life for America's students, I want to tell you in the strongest possible terms: DO NOT eliminate or dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education occupies a critical role in supporting states, students, and families. Given the vast expanse of America’s educational landscape, including the interstate nature of postsecondary education and the essential enforcement of federal civil rights laws and laws protecting students with disabilities, the need for a centralized administration is what led to the establishment of ED as a cabinet-level agency. Education is critical for America’s future and warrants recognition at the highest levels of government, even given the responsibility that states maintain for policymaking and funding. Eliminating the infrastructure of ED will make it orders of magnitude more difficult to administer programs and services that extend to all corners of American society, from pre-school to K-12 to higher education. This ultimately will threaten millions of students, educators, and families with unacceptable disruptions to their lives and well-being.

The value of empowering K-12 and postsecondary success has never been clearer. According to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Anchor Economy Initiative, higher education institutions and hospitals provide more than $1.7 trillion in economic benefits to the U.S economy. Moreover, individuals with a bachelor’s degree currently earn wages that are 65 percent higher than those with a high school diploma. Completion of a postsecondary degree correlates with more community engagement, increased political efficacy, and greater life satisfaction. The benefits to society include lower rates of incarceration, a larger tax base, and lower unemployment rates. In short, education is an individual and public good.

States and school districts receive billions of dollars in aid from the Department of Education, without which our students, schools, and families will suffer. If we want to make America "great," we should invest in and rebuild education, not destroy it.

Sincerely,
______

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