This bill expresses support for public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, condemning actions to defund public education or weaken the Department. It emphasizes the importance of federal funding and the Department's role in supporting students, families, and schools, while opposing the diversion of public funds to private schools.
Suzanne Bonamici
Representative
OR-1
This bill expresses support for the nation's public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, highlighting the Department's role in providing critical funding and resources to students, schools, and families. It condemns any actions that would defund public education or weaken the Department of Education. The bill affirms that public education investment should not be diverted to private K-12 schools through vouchers. It also rejects any claim that the executive branch has the authority to dismantle or relocate major offices within the Department of Education, dismantle or relocate the Department of Education, reduce federal funding for public education, block major federal grant programs for education, or transfer education funding burdens to state and local governments.
House Resolution Backs Public Schools, Rejects Funding Cuts and Department of Education Dismantling
This House resolution is basically a big shout-out to public schools and the Department of Education, emphasizing their importance and rejecting any moves to cut their funding or mess with their structure. It's like a legislative high-five to public education, ensuring continued support and resources.
School Support
The resolution lays out exactly what the Department of Education does, highlighting its massive reach. It points out that the Department funnels cash to over 100,000 public K-12 schools, helping more than 49 million students. It's not just about keeping the lights on; this funding helps specific groups, too. For instance, over 7.5 million students with disabilities get support through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants, and over 51,000 schools with many low-income students receive extra help via Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title IA grants. The bill also supports full-service community schools, rural school districts, and teacher development.
Real World Impact
Think of a teacher in a rural school, finally getting the resources to update their classroom tech, or a student with a disability receiving the specialized instruction they need. This resolution aims to keep those scenarios alive. It also assists over 5 million English-language learners, and supports parent education, family engagement, and the education of Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native children. Plus, over 8.2 million secondary students get a boost in career and technical education programs. These programs are vital for preparing students for real-world jobs, from healthcare to trades. The resolution also protects students from discrimination, ensuring everyone has a fair shot at education and employment.
The Bottom Line
This resolution makes it clear that public education funding is a no-go zone for cuts. It directly opposes diverting public money to private schools through vouchers. It also calls out any talk of dismantling or moving the Department of Education, stating loud and clear that the executive branch doesn't have the authority to do so. It's about keeping the federal government's commitment to public schools solid, and not shifting the financial burden onto state and local governments. Basically, it's saying: "Hands off our public schools and the Department that supports them."