Michigan educators, lawmakers react after Trump signs order to begin dismantling Department of Education
President Trump on Thursday announced the signing of an executive order that begins the process of dismantling the Department of Education.
The Department of Education oversees items like funding for programs, civil rights enforcement and educational research, among other duties.
"The Department of Education plays a critical role for students who are the most vulnerable," said Thomas Morgan, a spokesperson for the Michigan Education Association.
Morgan says the Department of Education's duties center around creating a level playing field, especially for students who have special needs, by providing additional resources.
"Those resources that the Department of Education provides are absolutely critical to helping students with special needs get the individualized support and attention they need to fulfill their potential," said Morgan. "Without the funding, those kids will be left to fend on their own."
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) said the order will be met with lawsuits, but in the meantime, students will feel the change.
"The impact not only in Detroit but all across my district is going to be incredibly... harmful. And some of that harm is irreparable," Tlaib said.
CBS News Detroit reached out to Rep. John James (R-MI), but he was unavailable for comment on Thursday. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) was unavailable for an interview but said in a statement that the Department of Education has been pushing "woke policies for far too long" and the federal government is too big.
"Despite more money being spent, test scores have not improved. We should focus the dollars on the students, not administrators. I look forward to working with President Trump and Secretary McMahon to improve education in America," she wrote.
State Superintendent Michael Rice noted that fully dismantling the Department of Education would take an act of Congress but said in a statement, "...children and school staff must continue to benefit from the federal funding and the protections that come from the U.S. Department of Education."
Rice went on to say that even without fully abolishing the department, significant cuts would "harm the education, health, and safety of school children."
