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The Dismantlement of the Department of Education

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The Dismantlement of the Department of Education

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Something that bothers me often and inspires me to take action is this.

Imagine a "leader" signs away a department built to protect children's right to learn, while smiling children--likely unaware of the long term impact--they're being used as political props. There's a sharp emotional dissonance between the smiling children and the grim reality of what the order represents.

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in protecting and uplifting students' right and access to quality education. It ensures civil rights protections, especially for students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income students. Without federal oversight, states could underfund or neglect these students entirely, leading to a fragmented system where a child's zip code determines the quality of their education. Many school districts, especially in rural and underfunded urban areas, depend on federal funding for essentials--teacher salaries, school lunches, special education services etc. Removing the DoE could mean losing this funding, leading to overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and reduced services.

In essence, the scene is haunting reminder of how easily power can be used to erase years of progress under the guise of reform, and how the most vulnerable--children are often the ones left to pay the price.

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The increasing exposure of children to social media and the internet is causing them to "lose their childhood." Instead of engaging in imaginative play and outdoor activities, many kids are spending excessive time online, comparing themselves to unrealistic portrayals of others. This early exposure to the pressures of social media can lead to negative effects on their mental health, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and distorted body image. Additionally, children are confronted with mature content too soon, which can rob them of their innocence and sense of security. As screen time continues to rise, it is crucial to address the consequences of this digital exposure and find ways to protect childhood development.

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While browsing recent news, I came across an article about book bans happening in schools across the country. Many of the books being taken away include diverse voices and important stories about race, identity, and history. Removing these stories reduces opportunities for students learning more in depth and connect. Taking these stories away also limits understanding, empathy, and student choice.

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Finding childcare that is both affordable and trustworthy is a large concern for many parents. Time.com states that 63% of full-time working parents feel that childcare is unaffordable. This concerns me especially for low-income families. During these years, children begin to learn and develop rapidly. It is so important to put them in the hands of trustworthy individuals. But with that comes a high cost. Employees struggle to make a living wage with the amount that they are paid. I believe that the price of childcare needs to be more affordable for all families. Living paycheck to paycheck is unbelievably sad. With that being said, childcare workers also need to be paid more in order to support their families. Times.com  Beckford states, “If I’m a nanny,” she says, “how am I going to afford a nanny?” This is the sad reality for many families. These children are our future. It is crucial that we provide them with the best care available while also keeping prices affordable for all families, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

https://time.com/child-care-crisis/

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Through my experience working with Teacher Leaders, I have done extensive research on the South Carolina Senate Bill, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. This bill among others being discussed in the house works to dismantle public education. This voucher bill is specifically discriminatory because the private schools that are receiving this funding do not have any mandated admittance protocol, meaning they can discriminate against students who have IEPs or 504s. Even worse, bills like this cause public schools to lose state funding, forcing them to rely on local funding that is disproportionate due to systemic racism.

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ProTruthSC on Instagram: "Update: The SC Senate just finished debating an amendment to S.62. The amendment (see comments below) is extensive, yet senators said they didn’t have time to read it before the vote.  We haven’t had any more time to analyze the amendment than the Senators did, but some observations: 
1. Amendment raises eligibility to 300% of federal poverty in year 1 and 500% after that
2. Moves enrollment from Jan to November.
3. Requires families receiving vouchers funds acknowledge private schools don’t have to follow the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
4. Moves funding source back to the SC Education Lottery (after the House removed this provision). 
5. Gives Superintendent Weaver power to appoint the trustee overseeing the funds.

The Senate is currently debating S.62. See a live analysis of the debate over on our Bluesky account. Debate so far has centered on an extensive amendment by education chairs Sen. Hembree and Rep. Erickson which Senators have not had time to read."

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26 likes, 0 comments - protruthsc on April 16, 2025: "Update: The SC Senate just finished debating an amendment to S.62. The amendment (see comments below) is extensive, yet senators said they didn’t have time to read it before the vote.  We haven’t had any more time to analyze the amendment than the Senators did, but some observations: 
1. Amendment raises eligibility to 300% of federal poverty in year 1 and 500% after that
2. Moves enrollment from Jan to November.
3. Requires families receiving vouchers funds acknowledge private schools don’t have to follow the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
4. Moves funding source back to the SC Education Lottery (after the House removed this provision). 
5. Gives Superintendent Weaver power to appoint the trustee overseeing the funds.

The Senate is currently debating S.62. See a live analysis of the debate over on our Bluesky account. Debate so far has centered on an extensive amendment by education chairs Sen. Hembree and Rep. Erickson which Senators have not had time to read.". 

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Something that really stood out to me was access to proper hygiene and nutrition. These are such basic needs, yet so many students are showing up to school without them being met.

Some students don’t have access to clean clothes, deodorant, or even the chance to brush their teeth before school. This often happens due to poverty or housing insecurity, not neglect but the result is the same. Kids get teased, feel embarrassed, and may struggle with confidence. They’re already trying to navigate friendships and academics, and it always stands out to me that some of them are also worrying about how they look or smell.

Another issue I thought about is school lunches. A lot of them are super processed and not very healthy. Some kids barely eat breakfast or dinner, so lunch is their only real meal of the day and even that isn’t always nutritious. Or even at home they might not being eating healthy or know what is healthy. It’s sad because we expect kids to learn and behave, but how can they focus when they’re hungry?

Schools can be a place where basic needs are supported through hygiene closets, food pantries, or better lunch programs but more awareness and action are needed.

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Between classes, students are constantly on the go with nowhere to decompress or reset. We spend hours in loud, overstimulating environments like the student center, library, or hallways, without access to quiet, calming spaces. There are no dedicated wellness lounges, nap pods, or even soft seating areas that encourage rest and reflection. For many students, stress and burnout are daily realities and it’s made worse when there's no place to breathe, stretch, or regroup mentally. Universities often talk about supporting mental health, but that support should be visible in the spaces we learn and live in. We deserve more than just academic resources we need environments that care for our whole well-being

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Something that really breaks my heart is children who grow up without the love and support they deserve. It's one of the biggest reasons I am becoming a teacher. I actually just started this show and at the start of it the teacher petitioned for money for new rugs that were softer, cleaner, and better for the children. She has this one kid who sleeps on it during recess and he told her that the old used rug is comfier then his bed at home. I also was a TA in a classroom in an underfunded area and many children were hungry, struggled extra in school with friends and with academics, and overall were very tired and had a short tension span. I know that things like this do happen but when or if funding is removed and these parents, teachers, and children continue to struggle and continue down this path it frustrates me and makes me feel like the best I can do is be there for them and give them the best opportunities throughout the school day that are within my reach. All children around the world should have and deserve equal opportunities within growth and success disregarding where they grew up, there sex or ethnicity, who raised them, etc!!

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One thing that breaks my heart is children's lack of access to healthy foods. Many children in minority or impoverished communities live in food desserts, limiting their access to healthy and nutritious food. Children are unable to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, essential for their growth and development. They instead eat highly processed and unhealthy foods that burden their growth, development, and health significantly. These unhealthy processed foods are linked to many learning disabilities and health concerns that can significantly affect a child's education. I believe every child should have access to healthy and nutritious food and we should work to create a better way to feed our children and allow them to thrive!

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I came across an article from National Children's Hospital that talks about how AI, especially deepfakes, is becoming a serious threat to kids and teens. It explains how this technology can be misused to create fake pictures or videos, which can lead to bullying, extortion or emotional harm, even if the content is AI generated. What really stood out to me is how fast these tools are spreading and how hard it is for parents and schools to keep up. It made me realize that protecting kids online is not longer just about screen time, it is about keeping them safe from being digitally manipulated.

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Challenges in the World of AI and Deepfakes: A Guide for Parents

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Discover how AI and deepfakes can manipulate reality and pose risks to teens in the digital world. Learn essential tips for parents to protect their children from these emerging threats.

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modern suburbia and cookie-cutter neighborhoods are detrimental to the ecosystem and make the world less beautiful. These houses have tiny lawns where nothing but European grass grows. This is harming pollinators, the soil, and it just looks depressing. This can be fixed by encouraging gardens and home improvement.

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I'm bothered by a lot of things in today's world. I am bothered by the flooding that is made worse by the sea level risings, the inadequacy in schools today and the poverty level rising around the country.

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Something that really breaks my heart and that I'm extremely passionate about, especially when it comes to being a teacher, is student homelessness. A good portion of the student population whether it be here on campus or at other universities, or in our K-12 school face the challenge of experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty to the point where homelessness becomes a possibility. Students already faced so much adversity when it comes to completing assignments and keeping up with schoolwork as well as enjoying extra curricular activities that set them up for success.It is also hard to balance the financial strain that comes along with this accumulation of tasks that need to be completed for your academic success.Having students try to balance this combination of financial burden as well as academic success it makes it nearly impossible for personal growth or development. It puts students in a state of survival mode and does not allow them to shake the stress surrounding them. Furthermore along with homelessness and financial strain includes a number of different factors that are also incorporatedIn thinking about means of living, including access to food and toiletries.