Public education is under attack. Misinformation is fueling distrust, with parents being told schools are hiding information, pushing unwanted values, and undermining their authority.

These claims serve a purpose: to divert attention from efforts to privatize education and cut public school funding.

When parents distrust public schools, it becomes easier to justify shifting taxpayer dollars to private programs, leaving public schools struggling. The narrative that schools work against parents distracts from the real threats: funding cuts, deregulation, and the erosion of oversight.

They say it’s about parents’ rights, but it’s about dismantling public education. Fear is being weaponized to turn parents against schools, despite no widespread effort to withhold information from families.

Policies That Undermine Public Schools

While fear dominates headlines, policies are being pushed that will remove protections for all children. Lawmakers advancing these agendas seek to:

• Eliminate the Department of Education, stripping federal oversight that ensures equal access to services and protections.
• Convert education funding into unrestricted state block grants, allowing states to redirect money away from students who need it most.
• Reduce public school accountability, weakening legal protections for students with disabilities, those in poverty, and those needing mental health support.
• Divert public funds to private schools, further draining resources from public education.

These measures don’t empower parents; they erode the foundation of public schooling, making education less accessible and effective.

Parents Already Have Influence

Parents play a crucial role in education. Public schools are accountable to families through school boards, teacher conferences, and public meetings. Parents can advocate for curriculum changes, question policies, and work with educators. Schools are required to inform families about major decisions, particularly in special education, discipline, and learning support.

Without federal oversight, these rights are at risk. The Department of Education ensures parents have access to free legal representation for civil rights violations, including discrimination, disability rights, and unfair disciplinary actions. If the department is eliminated, parents will lose this critical resource, making it harder to fight for their children’s rights.

Consequences of Removing Oversight

Policies disguised as “parental rights” initiatives will weaken public education:

• Students with disabilities may lose legally mandated services, such as individualized education plans (IEPs), specialized instruction, and therapy services.
• Funding gaps between wealthy and low-income districts will widen, turning quality education into a privilege instead of a right.
• Teachers will have fewer tools to address bullying, discrimination, and abuse, making schools less safe for vulnerable students.
• Parents will lose free legal recourse for civil rights violations, leaving them without support when advocating for their children.

Public Education Needs Strengthening, Not Dismantling

Public schools are struggling and need to be fixed. They are not perfect, but this movement does not offer solutions—it further erodes any chance at meaningful reform. Weakening oversight and cutting funding will only worsen the challenges public schools face, making it even harder for educators to provide quality education for all students.

Parents must ask: Will my child’s school have the resources it needs? Will teachers be able to support struggling students? Will children with disabilities receive legally required services? If the answer is no, then these policies are not about improving education—they are about dismantling it.

Without the Department of Education, parents lose one of their strongest allies in ensuring fair treatment for their children. The department enforces laws that protect students’ rights, ensuring schools provide necessary services and do not discriminate against children based on disability, race, or socioeconomic status. Eliminating it would leave families to navigate these challenges alone, without the legal backing they currently have.

We need solutions that strengthen public education, not strip it of resources and protections. Every child—regardless of ability, background, or income—deserves access to a strong, well-funded, and accountable school system. Weakening public schools harms all children, not just those directly affected. It’s time to stand up for public education before the damage becomes irreversible.

What Parents Can Do 

📞 Call your representatives. Demand accountability for public education policies.

📚 Stay informed beyond the headlines. Research policies affecting schools.

🗣️ Talk to other parents. Help spread awareness of what’s really at stake.

Further Reading

📖 What Does the Department of Education Actually Do? – Understanding its role in protecting students.

📖 How School Choice Policies Impact Public Schools – The hidden consequences of diverting funds away from public education.

📖 Department of Education Halts Thousands of Civil Rights Investigations Under Trump