Letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy to express opposition to proposals to eliminate the Education Department

The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader, United States Senate
511 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable William Cassidy
Chair, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
428 Senate Dirksen Office Building,
Washington, DC, 20510

February 7, 2025

Dear Majority Leader Thune and Chair Cassidy,

On behalf of the National Parents Union, representing 1.7 million parents, families and caregivers nationwide, we write to express our deep concern and strong opposition to recent proposals to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, as such efforts should disqualify any nominee for the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Eliminating the Department would have catastrophic and destabilizing consequences for millions of students, particularly those from historically underserved communities, and would create chaos in our education system at a time when stability and accountability are more critical than ever.

The U.S. Department of Education plays an indispensable role in safeguarding the future of our children. It provides essential funding, critical fiscal oversight, and special needs protections that ensure all students—regardless of background—have access to a high-quality education. The stakes could not be higher:

• 26 million students from low-income backgrounds rely on Title I funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to access the resources they need to succeed.
• 9.8 million students in rural schools depend on federal support to bridge funding gaps that state and local budgets cannot fill.
• 7.4 million students with disabilities receive vital services and accommodations through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• 5 million English Language Learners count on Title III funding to receive instruction that allows them to fully participate in their education.

Without the Department’s coordination and oversight, federal K-12 funding would become fragmented and unpredictable, threatening the education of over 100,000 public schools across the country. The financial impact would be staggering:

• More than $15 billion annually to support students with disabilities.
• More than $18 billion annually to serve students from low-income families.
• Nearly $900 million annually to assist English Language Learners.

The harm would be particularly devastating in states that depend heavily on federal
education funding. For example:

Louisiana

• $241 million annually for 96,000 students with disabilities (14% of the state’s student population).
• $401 million annually for schools serving 540,000 students from low-income backgrounds (79% of the state’s student population).
• $5.2 million annually for 33,000 English learners (5% of the state’s student population).
• $33 million annually to support safe and healthy students and provide a well-rounded education.
• $29 million annually for academic enrichment activities such as before- and after-school programs.
• $4.3 million annually for students in rural schools.
• $10 million annually for children living on military bases or Native American reservations.

South Dakota

• $48.8 million annually for 23,000 students with disabilities (17% of the state’s student population).
• $57.3 million annually for schools serving 48,000 low-income students (35% of the state’s student population).
• $925,000 annually for 7,000 English learners (5% of the state’s student population).
• $6.7 million annually to support safe and healthy students and provide a well-rounded education.
• $6.5 million annually for academic enrichment activities such as before- and after-school programs.
• $2 million annually for students in rural schools.
• $93 million annually to support children living on military bases or Native American reservations.

Dismantling the Department of Education would throw our schools, families, and communities into chaos. Without it, there would be no accountability for how federal funds are spent, no oversight to ensure all children receive a fair education, and no federal support in times of crisis—whether it’s a school shooting, a natural disaster, or a national emergency.

Additionally, eliminating the Department would leave the United States flying blind in global competitiveness, weakening our economic future and national security. Without national standards and accountability, there would be no way to measure how our students compare to those in China, India, or Europe—nations that are rapidly advancing in STEM, AI, and workforce readiness. This puts our businesses at risk of talent shortages, our military at risk of unprepared recruits, and our country at risk of falling behind in the global economy. The consequences of failing to monitor and invest in our education system as a strategic national asset would be devastating for both our economic interests and our security as a nation.

The American people—across party lines—support strong schools. National Parents Union polling shows that 68% of parents want federal oversight to ensure schools are accountable for student success and 80% prioritize school safety as their top concern. Removing the Department would not only defund critical programs but also destabilize the very foundation of our education system, leaving parents without recourse when schools fail their children.

The elimination of the Department of Education, as proposed by President Trump, would undermine critical supports that millions of families rely on. We strongly urge you to reject any nominee who does not uphold the fundamental mission of ensuring equal educational opportunity for all students and to oppose any effort to dismantle the Department and create instability in our education system.

We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your leadership in
protecting the future of America’s students, economy, and national security.

Sincerely,

Keri Rodrigues
President
National Parents Union