While President Trump and other conservatives argue that education should be controlled by the state and local communities, educators like LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho say otherwise.
During a joint press conference in Carson with Rep. Nanette Barragán on Wednesday, Supt. Carvalho said, “I don’t know what greater good is served by depriving hungry children of food for the purpose of elevating one’s philosophy.” In his view, the trade-off does not seem fair or humane.
Carvalho said the district, which serves over 500,000 students, receives around $177 million annually to provide services to students with disabilities, and “Any reduction to that program would be an insult to the humanity and the dignity of some of the most fragile children in our community.”
Carvalho said LAUSD officials are not alone. Superintendents from predominantly urban communities have also expressed their concerns to him.
Congress member Barragán warned of a funding crisis if the Trump administration dismantles the Department of Education, saying, “This is illegal, and it’s reckless and would cut vital services and resources that our students need to thrive every day.
If the DOE were to be eliminated, Barragán said Title 1 funding, which provides funding to schools and school districts to implement programs and services that support the academic achievement of students from low-income families, and the PELL Grant program, which provides federal financial aid to low-income college students are at risk.
The Trump administration argues that cutting the Department of Education would shrink the government, reduce spending, and shift focus to alternatives like charter schools and homeschooling.