ALBANY, N.Y. (March 20, 2025) — Public education advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s executive order closing the Department of Education:
“Congress—not the president—determines which agencies remain open or are shut down. This administration’s strategy is to exhaust us with repeated attacks on our values and institutions, and this is just another example,” said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.
“The plan was laid out in Project 2025 long before the election; it was clear that this administration had plans to dismantle government agencies, including the Department of Education. Public schools across the country have been subjected to a relentless bombardment designed to roll back the progress made by parents, students, and educators in establishing anti-racist, inclusive, truth-based education. This latest Executive Order is just another step in their agenda—unsurprising, but no less dangerous.
“We refuse to remain silent while they attack our children and attempt to divide and destabilize our schools and communities.
“The Department of Education plays a central role, one we need more now than ever before, in enforcing civil rights protections, safeguarding students from discrimination, ensuring affordable higher education, and protecting the rights of families. It also oversees policies and programs that shape our schools nationwide — including funding for K-12 schools, students with disabilities and IEPs, early education, children living in poverty, and addressing the needs of educators. The DOE helps ensure that vulnerable students—especially those in underfunded schools—receive the quality education and resources they need.
“Congress must reject Trump’s executive order to close the Department of Education. New York State has a significant role in safeguarding and supporting our communities. This is not the time for inaction. New York’s leaders must stand strong in protecting our children and our schools.”