ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — Parents and teachers across the country, including the DMV, are standing against cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. It’s part of the National Education Association’s “Walk-In to Protect Our Students and Families.”
“We’re afraid that our students won’t get the services that they desperately need,” said Alice Tewell, president of the Parent Teacher Association at Barcroft Elementary.
Parents and students at Barcroft Elementary School stood outside Wednesday morning expressing their concerns about dismantling the Department of Education and how it could hurt students, families, and teachers, especially at Title I schools.
“We need to protect our funding for our schools, especially for our Title One schools and for special education funding,” she explained
This comes after President Donald Trump vowed to cut the U.S. Department of Education which many depend on, including services for students with special needs and teachers.
Wednesday’s rally was part of a national movement with the National Education Associations. The goal was to create a “powerful statement” by advocating to keep funds for programs that impact the needs of students with disabilities, students from low-income families, and teachers.
“If we had cuts to our school, our children would suffer,” said Tewell.
“We have many students who are also [in] special education. They have different ieps, including dyslexia… A lot of additional teachers are funded through Title One Dollars reading specialists, math interventionists, special education teachers, counselors, and we need these teachers,” she added.
Just last week, half the staff at the Department of Education were laid off and it’s unclear when the president will make a decision to close down the federal agency.
