FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2025
CONTACT
Breana Staten, bstaten@edtrust.org
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the Trump Administration released an executive order announcing the dismantling of the Department of Education, jeopardizing the future for all students and sliding us further back to an era where disparities widen, and civil rights violations and inequities go unchallenged.
The following quote can be attributed to Alexza Barajas Clark, Executive Director at EdTrust-Tennessee:
The decision to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is a direct threat to the progress we’ve made in ensuring all students in Tennessee—particularly students of color, student from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities and multilingual learners—have access to a high-quality education. The Department plays a crucial role in holding states accountable, enforcing protections, and providing the necessary resources to address longstanding inequities in our education system. Without these safeguards, Tennessee’s students, especially those who face systemic barriers, risk losing the support they need to succeed.
EdTrust-Tennessee is unwavering in our commitment to advocate for policies and practices that protect and uplift EVERY student, and we will continue to champion an education system that ensures all students have the opportunities and access they need to thrive in Tennessee.
See specific data on how states and communities will be impacted here: https://edtrusttn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Summary-ED-investments_January-2025.pdf
Learn more about the implications of this executive order at: https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-the-department-of-education-will-have-a-disastrous-impact-on-civil-rights-and-learning-of-underserved-students/
