BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Healey-Driscoll Administration issued statements Wednesday in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to move several offices and programs, with their funding, from the U.S. Department of Education into other federal agencies.
Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said the decision is “dangerous and raises several concerns,” and that Massachusetts will continue to fight for access to high-quality public education.
From the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education:
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration issued the following statements today in response to the decision by the Trump Administration to move several offices and programs currently housed within the U.S. Department of Education into other federal agencies. This follows President Trump’s March Executive Order to close the U.S. Department of Education.
Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler:
“From Day One, President Trump has attempted to sow chaos and fear while diminishing the role and capacity of the U.S. Department of Education. I believe the decision to transition several critical offices into other federal agencies — including one which administers K-12 grants programs – is dangerous and raises serious concerns for students, families, and educators across Massachusetts and the rest of the country. In the last few months, President Trump has recklessly withheld federal education funding, fired federal education workers and shuttered key offices, like the Office for Civil Rights in Boston. This latest move weakens the Department of Education’s ability to act swiftly when students’ rights and futures are at stake. We will continue to fight for every student to have access to a high-quality public education and equitable access to affordable higher education opportunities.”
Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw:
“The continued dismantling of long-standing educational structures and programs that support access to high-quality learning environments for all children is already having destabilizing and devastating effects for families, communities, and our economy. In Massachusetts, our commitment to educational access and opportunity from cradle to career remains steadfast.”
Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez:
“While not unexpected, today’s announcement is disappointing and devalues the critical role that education plays in building a strong future for our country. Our students and educators need a supportive federal education agency, and I have serious concerns about how future federal grants and supports will be handled. I want families to know that in Massachusetts, we will continue to ‘cherish’ our public schools, as required in our state’s constitution.”
Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega:
“The U.S. Department of Education has a legacy of helping people from all backgrounds achieve the American Dream, and the dismantling of this agency is a loss for communities, economies, workforces, individuals, and families across the country. If something is a priority, then someone should be put in charge of it, and the dismantling of ED shows little value for giving people opportunities to grow their skills and earnings through affordable, accessible, high-quality post-secondary education. Here in Massachusetts, higher education opportunity and success remain a top priority, and while this work will be more challenging without ED’s historic partnership, it’s also increasingly important.”
