An editorial from WriterCoach Connection Executive Director, Lynn Gerber
The flood of information from TV, social media, and news outlets makes it difficult to separate fact from speculation. But here’s the hard truth: The Department of Education (DOE) is being gutted, and the ripple effects will hit our schools. On March 11th, nearly half of the DOE’s workforce—roughly 2,000 employees—were fired, leaving the agency scrambling to function with just 2,183 staff members.
Higher education will feel the immediate impact, but make no mistake—California’s middle and high schools are not immune. Key DOE offices that directly support our students are now in jeopardy, including:
- The Civil Rights Office, which handles claims of discrimination and sexual harassment in schools.
- The Federal Student Aid Office, which guides students through the college application and financial aid process.
Will California’s public schools lose funding?
Not directly—yet. Our state gets 13.9% of its K-12 funding from federal sources, slightly above the national average. The real crisis lies in the collapse of critical support services—the very programs that ensure students, teachers, and schools thrive.
Three key divisions being slashed that will severely affect public K-12 education are:
- The Institute of Education Sciences – This division runs the National Center for Education Statistics and administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a key standardized test for K-12 students. Without data, how do we measure progress?
- The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education – The backbone of K-12 district support, providing leadership, financial aid, and technical assistance.
- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services – Oversees the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. With fewer staff, students with disabilities could face delays in accommodations, less research into effective teaching methods, and weaker enforcement of disability rights.
What happens next?
The new head of the DOE, Linda McMahon, claims that legally required funding will continue. But when will staffing cuts translate to lost oversight, lost services, and lost protections for students? Data tracking has already been halted. Less guidance from federal agencies means more room for fraud, waste, and abuse. Schools will have fewer resources, fewer advocates, and fewer answers.
Our Local Schools Are in Crisis
Every school district we serve—Oakland, Berkeley, and West Contra Costa—is already on the financial brink. Two of our partner principals remain cautiously optimistic about securing a small amount of funding for next year, but nothing is guaranteed. One thing remains clear: our work is more critical than ever. The support we provide—helping students become strong writers and communicators—is not just extra assistance. It’s a lifeline. Our teachers need backup. Our students need skills that will serve them for life. And in a time when education is being actively dismantled, we must stand stronger than ever.
