Every student deserves opportunity, resources, and support to reach their full potential no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family earns. Public schools and the Department of Education exist because students, with and without disabilities, in every state and neighborhood have the right to an education that imparts academic lessons, life skills and a lifelong love of learning.

Many students benefit from programs run by the Department of Education, especially lower-income students and their families in rural, suburban and urban communities, students and families who qualify for federal grants or loans to receive career training or attend two- and four-year colleges, and students with disabilities.

Without a fully functioning U.S. Department of Education, I feel we are certain to see: fewer qualified teachers in classrooms, an end to tutoring programs and remedial services for students at Title I schools, less impact for our special education laws, more students with disabilities unable to learn and more unchecked discrimination against students of color, girls, and others who face harassment and bias.

Daisi Grossman, Butler