Trump’s plan to eliminate Department of Education sparks concern

President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to eliminate the Department of Education, which concerns teachers and parents, especially parents of children with learning challenges. If Trump does get rid of the Department, what will that mean?

Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, joined “Arizona Horizon,” to discuss more.

Arizona receives money from the Department of Education federal budget for schools, underserved students, those living in extreme poverty, special education students, and Title One schools.

“This allows us to have extra teachers, paraprofessionals, programs, to make sure that students living in poverty have the same access to programs that other students have,” Garcia said.

Garcia stated that without the Department of Education, the legislature would have to find a way to get this money to the state. Cutting these funds would result in mass layoffs and programs going away that students need.

“We are hopeful that we can put pressure on the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate,” Garcia said, “…to say slow down, let’s really look at this and how it would impact their constituents.”

Garcia emphasized that this situation impacts kids, what is best for them, and also affects the economy.
“Having folks losing their jobs, not having programs for their kids after school programs going away is a huge impact to the economy,” Garcia said.

Garcia believes that educators and parents need to be able to work together for the benefit of the children and the schools overall. Other concerns for Garcia include cuts to social security, things that impact educators who retire, safe working conditions, not having mental health support, and making sure schools are safe.

“There’s no way that I could be teaching eighth graders on a daily basis and get them focused in on passing one of my quizzes if they have threats of the military being used to deport people,” Garcia said.