At Educators for Excellence (E4E), we know that uncertainty and anxiety are running high in schools right now. That’s why we created this page, so you have easy access to the latest information and resources that will help you separate fact from fiction, understand what the headlines mean for your school, and take action to keep yourself and your students safe, supported, and ready to learn.
E4E stands in solidarity with the nation’s teachers and students and is committed to keeping you up-to-date and ready to take action in response to federal policymaking over the next four years. If you have any questions about recent federal actions or want to get involved in our work, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Overview of Recent Federal Actions
Last updated: March 21, 2025
Proposed Dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education (USED)
On March 20, President Trump issued a long-expected Executive Order (EO) calling for the dissolution of USED and directing Secretary McMahon to reduce operations to the maximum extent possible. 63% of Americans oppose this. Closing USED would require Congressional action. Senator Bill Cassidy expressed his intention to introduce a bill, but it is unlikely to pass due to Republicans’ slim majority. The Administration has already begun to gut USED, firing nearly half its staff—1,300 people—and crippling its operations. Twenty-one state attorney generals have sued. Without USED, funding gaps wouldn’t be filled, crucial research wouldn’t get done, and states wouldn’t be held accountable for providing quality education.
Race-based Programming
The Trump administration issued guidance threatening to cut federal funding for schools that use “race as a factor in … hiring, training, and other … programming.” The letter doesn’t change the law and is meant to intimidate districts into proactively complying. Many state attorney generals have issued guidance telling districts to ignore it, and lawsuits challenging it have been filed.
Immigration and Schools
The Trump Administration has revoked a policy that barred Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from schools, but ICE still needs a warrant to access schools. Every child deserves a safe and welcoming learning environment, and revoking the ban has sowed confusion and fear.
Teaching about Race and Identity
President Trump called on federal agencies to create a plan to withhold funds from schools that teach the U.S. is “fundamentally racist” or about concepts like “gender ideology.” This is an attempt to intimidate and divert schools from implementing culturally relevant curricula and from teaching accurate history. It is illegal for the federal government to try to control curriculum decisions.
LGBTQ+ Students
The Trump Administration instructed schools to stop enforcing federal rules that prohibited discrimination against LGBTQ+ students. President Trump also signed Executive Orders calling for the elimination of federal funds for schools that allow transgender students to use school facilities, play on sports teams, or identify using pronouns or names aligned with their identity. LGBTQ+ students may be protected under state law depending on where you live, and regardless you are allowed to continue to support and defend your LGBTQ+ students.
Research and Innovation
The Trump Administration has crippled education research and innovation, terminating billions of dollars worth of research grants and reducing the staff of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) from around 100 to just three. Lawsuits challenging these cuts have been filed and in some cases have been ordered reinstated We cannot improve without evidence and data; the Administration’s attack on research will severely impact our ability to measure what works.
Take Action
Tell the Secretary of Education:
Do Your Job!
Tell your member of Congress: Protect the Department of Education and demand that the new Secretary do their job!
Tell President Trump:
Get Out of Our Classrooms!
Tell members of Congress that this is unacceptable and that they must protect students and the funding approved by the US Congress!
Teacher Guides
Press Releases & Statements
- Statement On President Trump’s Executive Order Calling for the Closure of the US Department of Education
- E4E’s statement on the proposed dissolution of USED
- A Letter to Congress Opposing Linda McMahon’s Confirmation
- A Note from E4E’s National Teacher Leader Council on the Election
Coalition Letters
Calls on Senate HELP to reject Linda McMahon’s confirmation as Secretary of Education
Calls on the Acting Secretary of Ed to reverse cancellation of IES-funded research contracts
Calls on Senators to reject McMahon’s nomination
Calls on Congress to instruct the Acting Secretary of Education to restore TQP, SEED, and TSL grants