Statement from the Aurora Institute and The Learning Accelerator Regarding Executive Order on Eliminating the U.S. Department of Education 

Together with our friends at The Learning Accelerator, the Aurora Institute issued the following statement on today’s executive order aimed at eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. 

Every student deserves a fair chance at reaching their full potential—no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family earns. An essential part of the American Dream is ensuring that everyone has an equal shot at success, coupled with the supports and systems needed to reach that success. Today’s executive order aimed at eliminating the U.S. Department of Education (ED) threatens that dream.

Preparing students to be competitive in our future workforce necessitates significant investment in our education system. Such investments include work-based and career-connected learning, early college and dual enrollment courses, and technology infrastructure to support our students—ultimately building economic prosperity for our nation. Eliminating funds and programs, and distributing funds without the necessary infrastructure to ensure they serve their intended purpose, will hold us back. The United States routinely ranks behind other similarly developed nations on international assessments. Downsizing or eliminating the department, which helps strengthen English Language Arts (ELA) and math instruction and outcomes, will undermine our ability to catch up.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) provides essential support to schools and systems that serve families working every day to reach their American Dream. The current authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was crafted through a bipartisan process and informed by experts and constituents. ESEA represents Congressional leaders’ vision for the role the Department should play in ensuring all students have the opportunity and equitable supports to learn and thrive. It includes funds to support services like literacy and math interventions, educator training, student enrichment and advanced courses, and mental health initiatives. Vital federal programs support low-income students, students with disabilities, students that live in military installations, new Americans, students that are unhoused, and many others. Additionally, the Department provides guidance to states and communities to implement federal programs that help students succeed, ensures state compliance with federal law, and coordinates across critical programs to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 

Actions to eliminate ED undermine students, families, and communities. Congress created the Department to ensure every learner has access to an education that will set them, their families, and their communities up for long-term success. Today’s executive order challenges that longstanding national goal and our history as a competitive democracy.

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