Education isn’t just about textbooks and test scores, it’s about our children’s future. As moms, we want our kids to have access to safe, supportive schools where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Right now, there’s a push to eliminate the Department of Education, a move that some believe would give parents and local communities more control. But before we celebrate less federal oversight, we need to ask: What happens next?

Why Do Some People Think This is a Good Idea?

Some supporters of eliminating the Department of Education believe:

Education should be controlled at the state and local level, not by the federal government.
Federal overreach has made schools worse, not better.
Parents should have more control over what their kids learn, free from government mandates.

At first glance, this might sound appealing. But here’s the reality: Without federal support, the kids who need the most help will be the first to suffer.

What’s at Risk if We Lose the Department of Education?

Funding for Public Schools

Many states rely on federal dollars to support schools, especially in low-income areas. Without federal funding, struggling schools could lose resources for teachers, textbooks, and special programs. That doesn’t give parents more control, it just gives their kids fewer opportunities.

Special Education and Disability Protections

Right now, federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure kids with special needs get accommodations. If education becomes fully state-controlled, protections could vary wildly depending on where you live. Some states may maintain funding, but others could gut special education programs completely.

Accountability and Civil Rights Protections

The Department of Education enforces Title IX, which ensures equal treatment for girls in sports and prevents discrimination in schools. It also protects students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ youth, and children from marginalized communities. Without federal oversight, what happens when a school decides not to serve these students?

College Affordability

Federal Pell Grants and student loan programs help millions of students afford college. If education funding is left entirely to the states, who ensures these programs continue? Higher education could become even more expensive, limiting opportunities for students who can’t afford tuition on their own.

Would States Be Ready to Handle This Shift?

The reality is, most states aren’t prepared to take on this responsibility overnight. Federal funding currently makes up 16 percent of Georgia’s education budget, a loss that would leave schools scrambling. And let’s be honest, states like Georgia are already struggling with teacher shortages, school funding gaps, and equity issues. Adding this massive responsibility is a recipe for disaster.

Some states might step up, but others won’t. This will create even bigger disparities in education depending on where you live, and that’s bad for all of us.

What About School Choice?

Many parents who support eliminating the Department of Education do so because they believe in school choice, the idea that families should have more options outside of public schools, like charter schools or homeschooling.

But here’s the problem:

School choice does not guarantee quality education for all students. Many private and charter schools don’t accept students with disabilities or offer the same services as public schools.
Voucher programs often take money from public schools. This means that the kids left in public schools, often the most vulnerable, end up with even fewer resources.
Not all families have access to alternatives. Many low-income families rely on public schools as the only option, and gutting funding only makes it harder for those kids to succeed.

What Can We Do?

As moms, we have power. We can push back against harmful policies and demand that education remains a priority, not a political tool.

Stay informed. Know what’s happening in education policy at the local and federal levels.
Call your representatives. Let them know that well-funded, accountable public schools matter.
Vote with education in mind. Support leaders who prioritize strong public education for all kids, not just a privileged few.

Public education is not about government overreach, it’s about ensuring all kids, regardless of zip code, background, or ability, get a fair shot at success. Eliminating the Department of Education might sound like a way to fix a broken system, but in reality, it puts our most vulnerable children at even greater risk.

At Every Mom, we believe that education should empower all kids, not just those who can afford it. Moms, let’s stand together and fight for a future where every child has access to a strong, well-funded education, no matter where they live.

Why Public Education Matters to Every Mom