National Council of Jewish Women Calls Department of Education Mass Firings an Attack on Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jake Green, jgreen@ncjw.org

WASHINGTON – In response to firing half the workforce of the Department of Education and shutting down offices and programs serving millions of students across the nation, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) CEO Sheila Katz released the following statement:

“Firing 1,700 workers overnight and dismantling the Office for Civil Rights isn’t just a bureaucratic decision — it’s an attack on the students who need protection the most. While the Department of Education could be improved to operate more effectively, dismantling it haphazardly — without a plan to protect students — is not reform. It is recklessness. And the ones who will pay the highest price are the most vulnerable. Children with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, minority students, and those from low-income families could lose the resources and safeguards they rely on to succeed. Without federal oversight, students with disabilities may be denied the accommodations that make education accessible. Low-income children could be left without qualified teachers and even school meals. Jewish students may have nowhere to turn when facing discrimination. LGBTQ+ students could endure bullying with no recourse. For millions of kids, this isn’t just policy — it’s survival. No child should be denied an education or the support they need to thrive.”

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NCJW is a 131 Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 225,000 grassroots advocates and 48 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels. Learn more at NCJW.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.