Heidi May Wilson, Senior Manager, Media Relations
Association urges Congress to preserve the Department's role and protect federal funding for public schools
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (March 14, 2025)—This week, the Trump Administration announced that nearly 50% of the positions in the U.S. Department of Education will be terminated, the largest mass layoff in the Department’s history. National ϳԹPresident Yvonne Johnson issued the following statement on the Administration’s action:
“The Administration’s action to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education through mass layoffs is a severe threat to public school students and families in our country. Our nation’s public schools serve over 80% of our nation’s children, and programs and funding streams administered by the U.S. Department of Education serve students and families most in need of vital supports. Diminishing the capacity of the Department of Education to effectively administer federal funding and support states and school districts with program implementation threatens to leave millions of children and families behind.
“The staff cuts in the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which works to prevent hate and discrimination in schools, puts students’, parents’ and educators’ rights at risk. The cuts in the Department’s research division mean less research and support for students with disabilities and less research for promising teaching practices. The elimination of the National Center for Education Statistics leaves educators, families and administrators without data needed to make decisions around teaching and learning based on what’s working and what isn’t working. These actions could have devastating impacts on children, families and schools and may impact student achievement, educator shortages or decrease access to high quality education for every child.
“As our hundreds of advocates from across the country did just last week during our association’s 2025 Legislative Conference, ϳԹhas long advocated for equitable, high-quality public education in safe and supportive environments to ensure all children can reach their full potential. Our association remains steadfast in our belief that public education must be strengthened with the support of adequate funding and continue to be governed by public officials. For decades, just two cents of every federal dollar have been invested in education. And across the country we continue to see dramatic disparities between available resources as well as the quality of and access to educational opportunities. As throughout our history, it remains a top priority of our association to advocate for investments in programs that promote educational equity and opportunity for all children. There could not be a more urgent time to strengthen public education rather than dissolve the Department of Education, and we will never stop speaking loudly and demanding more for every child, family and school across the country.”
Join National ϳԹin sending an urgent message to your members of Congress to insist they oppose any effort to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and instead make investments in public schools and support a new congressional resolution championed by National PTA’s 2023 Congressional Voice for Children Awardee Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon.
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National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. ϳԹis a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in ϳԹis open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.