President Trump’s decision to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday prompted a quick response from California officials.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said Trump’s actions to close the department were dangerous but not surprising.
“The (Trump administration) continues to do everything possible to destroy the department’s ability to carry out the most important functions that Congress has mandated.
According to Bonta, the Attorney General’s Office will continue to monitor new orders.
“The (executive order) is very careful about the wording,” Bonta told NBC4. “So it’s important to monitor what their actions are in fact. Our ask is to take them to court if they break the law.”
Alberto Carvalho, principal of the Los Angeles Unified School District, warned that demolishing the faculty would affect students, teachers, food and education programs.
“I have the news for you by strengthening local decisions into the nation for those who argue that there is a better way to directly win dollars to the nation through the block grants: it’s already the reality,” Carvalho said. And then, “Why now?” and “What are the long-term effects that directly affect our children?”
Lausd, the country’s second largest school district, lives below poverty levels, with 85% of its population living below poverty levels, according to Coach Alberto Carvalho.
The district will receive approximately $1.2 billion in federal investment and approximately $470 million in federal investment supporting its biggest program, Title 1. The department’s funding also supports students experiencing homelessness with autism, ADHD, disability, or special needs children.
“These federal programs provide stability, support and accelerated learning to thousands of children in our district, as well as millions of children across the United States,” Carvalho said.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the department’s closure will not affect programs that support students with disabilities, Title I funds for low-income schools, and Pell Grants College students.
But Bonta believes that is not the case.
“He’s trying to sell this, he’s trying to make it look like this horrible thing isn’t scary,” Bonta said. “It hurts children who are seeking special education. It hurts poor children. It hurts children’s civil rights.”
Without the Parliamentary Act, which created the division in 1979, it would be impossible to complete the division closure.
“We’ve been providing important services for nearly 50 years, and the Trump administration has swipes through the pen to end it,” Bonta said.
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