Press Releases

Washington DC - Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as well as Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) -- along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released the following statement today after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.

“President Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department of Education is an attack on the entire public school system, and it is an attack that we cannot accept. Every day, educators, students, administrators, and parents in Massachusetts demonstrate what a world class public education system can do: provide every child with the opportunity to thrive, strengthen our communities, and drive economic growth. Students, parents, educators, and communities deserve consistent leadership committed to improving education for all, not to be used as political pawns."

“We stand united in our determination to resist President Trump’s attacks on public education; united in our belief that a strong and well-funded public education system is crucial to the well-being of our country; and united in our determination to deliver the promise of education to every student in the Commonwealth and across the country.”

In Fiscal Year 2024 in Massachusetts, the Department of Education provided more than $720 million to support 1,800 K-12 schools and more than 926,000 students, including:

• $366 million in annual funding for 182,000 students with disabilities – reflecting 20% of Massachusetts’s student population;

• $289 million in annual funding for schools enrolling 425,000 students from low-income backgrounds – reflecting 46% of Massachusetts’s student population; 

• $20.5 million in annual funding for about 97,000 English learners – reflecting 10% of Massachusetts’s student population;  

• $1.5 million in annual funding for students enrolled in rural schools; and 

• $812,000 in annual funding to support children living on military bases or Native American reservations.

• President Trump’s nominee to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Education, Linda McMahon, is expected to appear before the HELP Committee on Thursday, February 13.

###