This 92-year-old great-grandmother is crying inside at what is happening in the United States Department of Education.
Education was a high priority in America’s early days. When the Pilgrims and others came to America, one of their priorities was establishing a school for their children. Hoping to bring some consistency to education in America, groups later formed a coalition that created an education department in 1867.
When the 1867 department folded, people started working on getting another national education department so that schools across the United States had a baseline to work with. A baseline in education would enable people to move from public school to private school and have the same level of education. A baseline provides continuity throughout the USA, helping Americans be among the world’s best-educated people.
The new department was signed into law by President Carter in 1980. Can you imagine the government eliminating such an essential element in America? The education department does so much for all of America’s children. It ensures that public, private and home schools meet basic standards. The education department also works with educational grants for all of America’s education, from preschool to graduate schools. For instance, they handle Pell Grants for students needing help with their college education. The department also has grants and loans for science and other educational subjects. Our educational devices at all levels have benefitted from the money coming into the schools because of the Department of Education.
Over my career, I worked with thousands of other people all over the USA to develop special education for students aged 3 to 21. It was a hard fight. It was also a long and challenging task that got these students out of basements and enjoying guided training designed especially for individual students’ needs. It also stipulated that they go to regular classes whenever possible.
The elimination of the Department of Education will have a drastic effect on all students and disabled people by limiting their access to the programs special education provides universally throughout the USA.
Marlene Kaiser, Washington City
