President Donald Trump’s recent actions targeting the U.S. Department of Education are causing concern, particularly for working-class and disabled students. These cuts also threaten programs that have been key in empowering parents and helping their children succeed in school.
In a coastal North Carolina community, an elementary school may be forced to end its free monthly dinners, where parents meet with teachers to discuss their children’s academic progress and well-being. One coordinator of the program noted that these meetings have given parents a greater sense of involvement in their child’s education, with many expressing that they feel more empowered to support their children.
In rural Texas, high schools may have to drop a partnership that connects students to local colleges, trade schools, and career opportunities. Parents in the area have voiced that college and career readiness is their top priority for their children’s future.
In Idaho, a school may have to shut down its after-school program, which many parents have praised for being an essential resource. One parent described the program as “amazing” and wished it could be available in every school.
In Kentucky, an elementary school might close its family resource center, which provides students and families with access to local services like health checkups, food pantries, employment assistance, and housing support, particularly after recent flooding.
These programs, which rely on federal funding from the Education Department, are now at risk due to proposed budget cuts. Community schools, which offer extended hours and partner with local organizations to provide crucial family resources, could face significant setbacks. These initiatives are especially important in rural and working-class communities where resources are limited.
The goal of community schools is to involve families in decision-making, ensuring the education system reflects the needs and hopes of parents for their children’s education. A report by Partners for Dignity & Rights emphasizes the importance of this approach, citing Hoover High School in San Diego, where all students qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. In response to families expressing difficulty accessing food, the school opened a food pantry, offered cooking classes, and introduced a curriculum on nutrition.
Community schools focus on collaboration between parents, caregivers, and teachers to create a supportive environment for students. Unlike top-down approaches that impose decisions without community input, community schools prioritize the voices of those closest to the students—the families and educators who understand their needs.
Despite claims by Trump and other Republicans to support “parents’ rights” in education, their policies have leaned toward increasing top-down control, often favoring charter schools and vouchers that divert public funds to private institutions.
Linda McMahon, the current Secretary of Education and a former professional wrestling promoter, has supported reducing federal involvement in public education. She believes that cutting red tape will give parents more control over their children’s education. However, it’s unclear how reducing support for working-class students and community schools will actually empower parents. These cuts raise questions about how younger generations, particularly those in underprivileged areas, will benefit from less governmental assistance.
While it’s clear that America’s public schools need reform—many students are struggling to meet academic standards, schools are in disrepair, and teachers face burnout—the answer is not to dismantle federal support. Removing the federal government from the equation will only shift more of the burden onto families who already face significant challenges.
