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The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has responded to the Trump Administration taking steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. 

In the statement NAEYC outlines the potential impact for young children, families, and educators. The Department oversees funding and programs that support children with disabilities (including early intervention), Title I funds for low-income schools (which can support pre-k and the transition to kindergarten), as well as civil rights protections from various forms of discrimination and higher education loan and repayment programs that likely impact many early educators in the field.

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Nearly half of the Department of Education’s staff has been laid off and the Trump Administration has indicated that it plans to transfer education oversight from the federal government to the states. Trump is expected to soon sign an executive order to close the department.

“Laying off nearly half of the department’s dedicated public servants – who lead research into what works, provide support to teachers, and help students access and afford post-secondary education – will negatively impact children, families, and educators, both immediately and in the future,” the NAEYC statement read.

“NAEYC, in keeping with its mission to promote high-quality early learning for each and every child birth through 8, strongly urges the administration to reconsider and reverse course.”

NAEYC goes on to note that the department cannot legally be eliminated without Congress’ involvement. However, as the administration begins to move core services out of the department and eliminates a large part of its workforce, the ability for the department to adequately provide important services would be affected, NAEYC said.

Vital Services

NAEYC cited a number of services that the Department of Education offers to students and families, including:

• Support children with or at-risk for developmental delays and disabilities from early childhood through school age, including individualized education programs and support services and access to preschool special education and early intervention services
• Funding supports for students and families, especially those in low-income communities and those with disabilities, through access to support services, tutoring, early learning, and after-school services
• Protecting children from race, gender, or disability-based discrimination in public schools
• Supporting educators in growing their expertise and advancing their careers through professional development, access to higher education, grants, scholarships, and student loans
• Supporting student borrowers with navigating repayment options and accessing loan forgiveness programs
• Helping students and student parents to access higher education, including through campus-based child care and work-study opportunities

“Parents and educators want a Department of Education that supports learners of all ages, provides resources to ensure all children can succeed, and removes barriers that prevent children from accessing a quality education,” the NAEYC statement read.

Trying Together encourages concerned families and educators to fill out the NAEYC survey and share a story to help make the case for investing in – not cutting – federal support for children, families, and early childhood educators.