WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Education leaders say the Trump administration’s plan to shut down the U.S. Department of Education would significantly impact D.C. Schools and programs.
“I don’t even know how our school system would function without the funds and the support that we receive from the U.S. Department of Education,” said Jacquelyn Pougue-Lyons, president of the Washington Teachers Union (WTU).
The union represents thousands of teachers across the District, many of whom, Pougue-Lyons said, are also concerned about the potential shutdown.
“We’re all very nervous and worried about our families because we know that the U.S. Department of Education offers opportunities for all kids, whether they’re urban, suburban, rural, and it particularly offers opportunities for our low-income students,” said Pougue-Lyons.
Pougue-Lyons says several programs depend on funding from the U.S. Department of Education, and all of them could be affected.
According to a sheet created by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) based on 2024 disbursements from the Department of Education budget, programs for children with special needs use about $142 million in funding, before- and after-school care programs use another 6.5 million, and billions of dollars are used to help students get into college and CTE programs.
Many of these programs fall under the categories of services supporting kids, continuing students, workers and communities.
“If we don’t have the funding, say, for our special needs, our ELL, after care, before care programs, career development, career technical education, what are we supposed to do to support our students? Lots of programs will just have to stop and close down because we just don’t have the funding,” said Pougue-Lyons.
She says the union will continue to use its voice to advocate for a change of heart.
“We’re going to have to use, as teachers say, our outside voices because we can’t let this happen. This is something that could change, changes for generation after generation,” she said.
There has been harsh criticism of Trump’s proposal from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The president could make a decision as soon as this week.
