Resisting Trump’s Assault on Students and Schools: How ELC is Fighting Back
Over the last several months, Education Law Center has taken crucial legal actions, developed essential advocacy tools, and informed Congress and the public about the dangerous consequences of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and of expanding private education vouchers. In our home state of New Jersey, ELC has also ramped up advocacy to protect the rights of immigrant students facing increased threats.
As the only national legal nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to protecting preK-12 public education and the rights of students, ELC is uniquely positioned for the fight against the Trump Administration and to preserve public education as a pillar of our democracy. But we can’t do it alone.
Donate now to help ELC continue our vital work to protect federal education funding and students’ civil rights.
Below is a roundup of our recent work to defend public education.
Litigation to Protect Public Schools and Students
ELC, representing the NAACP and public school parents, filed a lawsuit in partnership with the National Education Association (NEA), Student Defense, and AFSCME Maryland Council 3 to stop the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempts to dismantle the United States Department of Education.
Shutting down the Department puts millions of vulnerable students at risk, especially those from low-income families, English learners, homeless students, and students in rural communities who rely on federal support. It also jeopardizes more than 400,000 educator jobs, eliminates oversight of federal education funding, threatens crucial protections for 7.5 million students with disabilities, and leaves millions of students vulnerable to discrimination.
ELC also filed and signed on to several amicus (“friend of the court”) briefs in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court:
- ELC with co-counsel filed an amicus brief on behalf of Oklahoma parents, faith leaders, and education advocates in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, a case challenging the establishment of the nation’s first religious public charter school;
- ELC signed on to an amicus brief prepared by COPAA and other national organizations in AJT v. Osseo Area Schools, advocating for proper legal standard in cases under federal disability law;
- ELC signed on to an amicus brief prepared by NEA in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case opposing demands on school districts to identify and allow families to opt out of instructional materials that might conflict with religious beliefs.
Testifying Before Congress and Speaking to the Media
At the invitation of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), ELC Executive Director Bob Kim testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the federal education budget to make the case for much-needed federal support for public education. Watch a short clip below:
At the invitation of Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ELC Litigation Director and Director of PFPS Jessica Levin testified before a House Education and Workforce Subcommittee about the dangers of private school vouchers, especially for students with disabilities. Watch a short clip below.
ELC Executive Director Bob Kim also participated in a Brookings Institution’s panel on the U.S. Department of Education’s new guidance on civil rights; appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Monthly program to discuss the importance of the federal role in education and the future of the U.S. Department of Education; and discussed ELC’s new lawsuit with Leonie Haimson on her Talk Out of School podcast.
ELC staff members have also been featured in numerous NJ and national news stories over the last several months, including:
New National Advocacy Tools
Federal Revenue Loss Calculator: This tool allows users to estimate how much federal education aid their state could lose under Trump 2.0. It answers crucial questions such as: How much funding would public schools in your state lose if Title I programs were cut by, for example, 20 percent? If IDEA funds were repurposed to fund individual student vouchers, how much would each eligible student receive? How much would your state lose if funding is eliminated for 21st Century Community Learning Centers?
Universal Voucher Price Tag Calculator: The price tag of universal voucher programs is often underestimated by voucher proponents and lawmakers. This tool makes it possible to estimate the potential price tag of a universal voucher program in any state. In three simple steps, users can project the amount of taxpayer funds that would be diverted to pay for private education.
Protecting Immigrant Students in NJ
In response to the increasing threats against immigrant students and families, ELC released:
- A Know Your Rights flyer designed for parents that is available in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Gujarati, Tagalog, Hindi, Arabic, Korean, and Haitian;
- A more comprehensive fact sheet for advocates that provides a deeper dive into the relevant laws and guidance;
- A letter with ACLU-NJ and New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children (NJCIC) to all NJ superintendents with detailed information and resources for protecting their immigrant students.
ELC also co-sponsored a webinar along with the New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/New Jersey Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL/NJBE), NJCIC, and AAPI New Jersey on the legal rights of immigrant students in NJ public schools.
Education Justice Lecture
ELC’s 16th annual Education Justice Lecture, which will be held virtually on Monday, May 19, at 5 p.m. ET, will feature Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), who will speak on the impact of Trump’s first 100 days in office on public education. Her remarks will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Register here and purchase sponsorships here.
Donate Now to Support Our Work
ELC needs your support to continue this critical work to defend students, families, and educators nationwide. Make a donation today to help us remain on the front lines against the Trump Administration’s attacks on public education.
For questions about giving, contact ELC Program Assistant Kaitlyn Comesanas at kcomesanas@edlawcenter.org.
Press Contact:
Sharon Krengel
Director of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Communications
skrengel@edlawcenter.org
973-624-1815, x240