BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — President Trump aims to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and this news has local teacher advocate Richard Franklin worried.
“It feels like we’re going backwards,” Franklin, president of the Birmingham Federation of Teachers, said. He questions why education has become a political issue. His main concern is that this change is happening too quickly and without a proper plan in place.
Franklin believes the Department of Education plays a crucial role in keeping schools balanced. It ensures that disadvantaged and disabled students receive necessary support. Since its creation in 1979, the department has been vital in funding schools, particularly Title I schools that serve low-income students.
“Before the department existed, funding wasn’t always distributed fairly,” Franklin explained. “There were times when schools didn’t get the support they needed.” Losing this department could have serious consequences in Alabama. Franklin mentioned that many jobs could be at risk, especially in smaller school systems. For instance, one area’s Head Start program could lose 55 workers, impacting 255 families.
In addition to job losses, Franklin is concerned about the quality of education. He fears that states might pick and choose what subjects to teach, creating inconsistencies. “If every state decides on their own curriculum, what happens to the kids?” he asked. Education is complex, and changes can affect students’ futures.
During Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing, she promised to continue funding for low-income schools, Pell Grants, and loan forgiveness programs. She assured that the Trump administration wants to handle these changes correctly.
Source link
wbrc,wbrc news,fox6,fox6 news,fox 6,fox 6 news,myfoxal,wbrc fox6 news,wbrc fox 6 news,wbrc 6 news,wbrc 6news,brady,talbert,brady talbert,brady talbert wbrc,brady talbert reporter,reporter brady talbert,birmingham,alabama,birmingham alabama,birmingham al,department,of,education,department of education,birmingham federation of teachers,federation,teachers,1979,title 1,title 1 schools,ap,head start program,birmingham schools,alabama schools,ala schools,al schools,birmingham school system,birmingham city schools,trump,president trump,us department of education,u.s. department of education
