Filing Accuses Education Department Leaders Of Implementing A Disruptive Shake-Up

Since assuming office in January, President Donald Trump has begun fulfilling his commitment to dismantle the Department of Education. His administration has terminated thousands of employees, revoked racial equity policies, and recently reassigned essential educational functions to the Department of Labor. In response, New York State, accompanied by a coalition of school districts, advocacy groups, and unions, has initiated a legal challenge in federal court. The lawsuit, filed last week, claims the Trump administration's actions are "unpredictable, chaotic, and unprofessional," asserting that only Congress holds the authority to enact substantial changes to the Education Department. The plaintiffs argue that these extraordinary changes threaten millions of students, particularly Black youth. Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, criticized the ongoing dismantling as “cruel and shameful.” She emphasized that educators and parents will not remain passive as the administration prioritizes political agendas over student welfare. With Title I funding oversight shifting to the Department of Labor, uncertainties loom over school districts.