Sen. Bernie Sanders, alongside 37 Democratic colleagues, expressed strong criticism of Education Secretary Linda McMahon's recent staffing cuts, warning they would severely impact American education amidst rising inequality. Emphasizing the alarming number of students lacking basic proficiency in reading, Sanders condemned attempts to weaken the Department of Education. Following layoffs, crucial systems like the FAFSA temporarily failed, raising concerns about support for students. Despite the Education Department claiming the cuts would not directly affect students, Democratic leaders pushed for accountability, questioning how educational laws would be enforced with diminished staff.
At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60 percent of people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans cannot afford higher education, and 40 percent of our nation's 4th graders and 33 percent of 8th graders read below basic proficiency, it is a national disgrace that the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally abolish the Department of Education and thus, undermine a high-quality education for our students.
Firing the people that ensure states, school districts, and institutions of higher education live up to their legal obligations is neither efficient nor accountable.
The cuts will impact students' daily lives and demand to know how McMahon will uphold the law with a decimated staff.
They are strategic, internal-facing cuts that will not directly impact students and families.
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