WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on President Trump’s unlawful Executive Order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:
"President Trump doesn't care one bit about our kids or our public schools, and his Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education makes that clear.
“Whether your kid needs a little extra help learning to read or a dedicated in-classroom aide, the Department of Education is how we get your school the federal resources it needs to provide that support. And it’s how we hold schools accountable when they don’t live up to their part of the bargain.
“Now, Trump is saying, ‘to hell with it’ – our kids, our schools, everything – all to give more tax handouts to his billionaire donors.
“We can’t stand idly by as President Trump and Elon Musk take their chainsaw to our children's future. We need to push back against this unlawful order with every tool we have."
Background on How President Trump’s Unlawful Order to Dismantle the Education Department Will Harm New Mexico’s Students, Parents, and Educators:
Title I Funding
87% of schools in New Mexico receive a total of $147 million in federal Title I funding from the Department of Education. This funding supports low-income students with literacy and math. Title I funds are used for:
Hiring additional teachers and specialists who support students and their teachers with literacy and math instruction
Purchasing additional instructional materials
Teacher training
Parent engagement
Smaller Classroom Sizes
Federal Pell Grants
Over 44,000 low-income college students in New Mexico — including students in vocational-technical certificate programs — currently receive a Federal Pell Grant from the Department of Education. Pell Grants help New Mexicans pay for tuition, housing, food, transportation, books, and other education-related costs.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Funding
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds special education services. 16.5% of New Mexico students are on an individualized education plan (IEP) and receive services under this program. New Mexico receives $120 million per year in IDEA funding from the Department of Education. IDEA funding can be used to pay special education instructors, support services such as behavioral health specialists, and classroom materials and equipment designed for students with disabilities.
21st Century Community Learning Center (After School Program) Funding
The Department of Education administers Title IV, Part B funds for after school programs. In New Mexico, 124 schools receive this funding for their after school enrichment and tutoring programs.
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act Funding
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funds grants for equipment and programming for high school career and technical education programs. New Mexico receives $10.5 million in Carl Perkins Act Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funding from the Department of Education.
Title II, Part A Funding
Title II, Part A funds teacher professional development. New Mexico receives over $2 million per year from the Department of Education to help educators improve and expand their teaching skills.
Title III Funding
Title III funds help students learn English. 1 out of 3 families in New Mexico speak a language other than English at home and about 1 out of 6 students are classified as English learners. New Mexico currently receives about $9 million per year to help kids learn English.
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