On February 9, 2025, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference at P.S. 183 to highlight the significance of the U.S. Department of Education.
Senator Gillibrand and Governor Kathy Hochul raised concerns about the potential loss of crucial educational services for New York’s schools and children if President Donald Trump and Congress move to eliminate the Department of Education. They emphasized that this could be disastrous for nearly 5,000 public schools and over 2.6 million students in the state.
The senator pointed out that programs under Title 1 might face significant cuts. This federal program provides essential funding for schools that have many low-income families. The aid supports initiatives such as special education, early childhood programs, and services for infants and students with disabilities.
Gillibrand warned that almost $1 billion in annual support for students with disabilities could vanish. After-school programs, which keep kids engaged and supported, might also be affected. She described the difficult situation working families would face without these essential services.
“Every day, I hear from hundreds of New Yorkers concerned about their children’s education,” Gillibrand shared. “Since its establishment in 1979, the Department of Education has been vital in helping students succeed and in promoting economic growth across the nation.”
Governor Hochul echoed these warnings, stating that scrapping the Department of Education would lead to increased taxes. “New York currently receives $5.5 billion annually from the department. If this funding is cut, localities will be forced to raise taxes to make up for the loss,” she explained.
The call to dismantle the Department comes amid troubling trends in student performance. Recent data reveals that reading skills among students are falling, with average scores for fourth and eighth graders declining significantly over the last few years. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, these trends have continued, revealing a pressing need for intervention.
Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers, emphasized the importance of Title 1 funding. She noted that these funds support reading specialists across New York, aiming to enhance children’s literacy skills. “These cuts would only exacerbate the existing challenges in our education system,” she said.
Trump’s proposed changes come after an Executive Order he signed on January 29, advocating for parental choice in education. “When our public education system fails a significant number of students, it undermines our national competitiveness,” the order states.
However, it is important to note that this order cannot eliminate the Department of Education on its own; Congress must pass legislation for such a sweeping change. Officials from the city’s Department of Education have indicated that they are unsure when or if these federal changes will affect New York City public schools, stating they will monitor developments closely.
